Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has been activated from injured reserve and will make his season debut on Saturday against the Houston Texans.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Thursday that Brown had a “good chance” to play after he underwent surgery in September to repair a dislocated sternoclavicular joint in his shoulder that he injured during preseason.
Brown was not expected to return during the regular season. But after being cleared by doctors to return to practice this week, he was finally given the green light to play.
The 27-year-old Brown suffered the injury during the Chiefs’ first preseason game in August. In September, he was given a 4-6 week recovery timetable. But after further evaluation it was determined surgery would be the best next step as the shoulder was not healing properly.
Brown signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs in March, with the deal worth up to $11 million. He spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, making 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns.
A roster spot for Brown was opened up this week when the Chiefs waived running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He later signed with the New Orleans Saints‘ practice squad.
While Brown will likely be playing his first game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes will “most likely end up playing” after suffering a high ankle sprain during a win over the Cleveland Browns last week. After initial worry about his weekend status, Mahomes was a full participant in practice.
