Charles

Omenihu

Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz was first with the report. The Chiefs’ star pass rusher has been working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered last season, and was on pace for a career year before his injury. Last season, Omenihu posted a career-high seven sacks in 11 games while also breaking up two passes and forcing two fumbles. His return will provide a nice boost to a defense that already ranks ninth in points allowed per game (19.8) but just 27th in total sacks (21).

It’ll be Omenihu’s first game back from tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl. He’ll probably be managed on a snap count early on, but Omenihu’s juice off the edge should be big for the Chiefs in the playoffs.

Omenihu tore his ACL in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory in February and began the season on the PUP list. His full practice participation to begin the week suggests Omenihu will be ready to return for the Chiefs’ Black Friday game against the Raiders. The 27-year-old tallied seven sacks last season, his first with the Chiefs. Initially drafted by the Texans, he has 18.5 career sacks through five seasons. Omenihu is trending to make his season debut in Week 13.

The team believes Omenihu, who tore his ACL in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl in over the 49ers last February, will be ready to return in November. He had seven sacks and five tackles for a loss last season as part of one of the NFL’s best pass rushes.

In addition to Thuney, the Chiefs also placed EDGE Charles Omenihu, DT Derrick Nnadi, and DB Jaylen Watson on the PUP list. Thuney suffered what was called a “significant pectoral injury” by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport during last year’s AFC Championship Game against the Ravens and was unable to suit up for the Super Bowl as a result. In addition to Thuney, Omenihu suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl and is a likely candidate to open the year on the reserve/PUP list. All players are eligible to return to the roster upon passing a physical.

Omenihu suffered a torn ACL against the Ravens in last year’s AFC Championship game. The former fifth-round pick posted a career-high seven sacks in just 11 regular season games last season while also tying a career-high with five TFLs. Given the timing of his injury, Omenihu isn’t expected to be ready by the start of Week 1, but the sixth-year vet appears to be on track to return at some point in the season and will look to reprise his breakout season with the Chiefs again in 2024.

Omenihu said after Sunday’s win that he’ll be good to go for the Super Bowl, but that won’t be the case. Sunday’s injury brings an unfortunate end to the season for Omenihu, who totaled a career-high seven sacks and 28 tackles in his first year with the Chiefs. Omenihu is already under contract for next season and should be retained after this year’s successful run. He’ll likely open 2024 on injured reserve, but should be back at some point during the year.

Omenihu made one of the biggest plays of the first half with a strip sack but was injured shortly thereafter. The quick rule out suggests he will be doubtful for a potential Super Bowl appearance.

The Chiefs were already set to be without DT Derrick Nnadi on Sunday but fellow DT Charles Omenihu was also listed as questionable with an illness. While there is optimism that Omenihu will be able to play, the Chiefs are clearly looking to add more depth in the interior since both Nnadi and Omenihu each played over 50 percent of the team’s snaps in the first game against the Bills.

The suspension stems from a domestic violence incident in January. Omenihu was arrested and eventually issued a restraining order after a woman alleged Omenihu pushed her to the ground during an argument. He was an impending free agent at the time and the Chiefs ultimately signed him to a two-year $16 million contract. Omenihu tallied 4.5 sacks and three TFLs for the 49ers in 2022.