The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs introduced crushing but anticipated information on Friday, formally ruling out All-Professional left guard Joe Thuney for Tremendous Bowl LVIII in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers.
Shedding Thuney for the second straight recreation with a pectoral damage is an enormous blow for the Chiefs — and one the 49ers are in a superb place to capitalize on.
Based on Subsequent Gen Stats, Professional Bowl defensive lineman Javon Hargrave has thrived lining up reverse the left guard, a spot backup Nick Allegretti will occupy Sunday alongside the Chiefs offensive line as a substitute of Thuney.
Thuney was a protracted shot to play within the Tremendous Bowl after struggling an damage within the divisional spherical in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. He ramped up in an try and follow following the AFC title recreation, however in the end, he lacked ample energy to be prepared for Sunday.
A five-year veteran, Allegretti began the AFC title recreation, his seventeenth profession begin and fourth within the postseason. Former lineman and NFL Community analyst Brian Baldinger “did not see a drop-off” with the 27-year-old enjoying instead of Thuney.
“I assumed his play was that of beginning high quality,” Baldinger mentioned. “That is a credit score to what they’re doing in Kansas Metropolis.”
Whereas Allegretti could have handed the attention take a look at, a deeper have a look at the stats exhibits a special facet of the story. Allegretti acquired double-team assistance on 42 p.c of pass-blocking snaps, 11.8 p.c greater than Thuney (30.2 p.c) throughout the playoffs.
