The Kansas City Chiefs were already going to have a tough time coming back from a first-half deficit at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers given the way they played in Week 13. And now the climb is even tougher with the word being: safety Brian Cook He left the match due to injury.
UPDATE: The Chiefs have officially ruled Cook “out” with an ankle injury after an X-ray was taken in the Lambeau locker room.
The Chiefs came out to play defense for the first time in the second half when AJ Dillon took off for a 14-yard touchdown. Cook was injured during the play and the Chiefs’ coaching staff came out to treat him on the field.
From there, Cook required significant medical treatment before staff requested a medical vehicle to remove him from the field due to a serious lower leg injury.
For those who missed the play, it’s below but with the caveat that it’s also difficult to watch:
here #Presidents Brian Cook’s injury safety…
The ankle bent and everyone knew immediately it was bad. pic.twitter.com/v2g6yMdFI7
– PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) December 4, 2023
After the game, defensive tackle Chris Jones praised Cook’s play and said he would miss the defense. “Brian played well for us,” Jones said. “He was a dominant force on defense. As for his downfall, I keep him in my prayers. I hope he can make a quick recovery.”
Without Cook, the Chiefs will turn to Mike Edwards to replace him in the starting defense, while fourth-round rookie Shamari Conner steps into the more important third safety role in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Edwards signed with the Chiefs this spring after a breakout season last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Conner was a powerful, versatile forward out of Virginia Tech who the Chiefs traded up to acquire.
Cook joined the Chiefs as their second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after starring at the University of Cincinnati. After serving as the third safety last year playing behind Juan Thornhill and Justin Reed, Cook has stepped into a starting role alongside Reed in his second season and has performed strongly in all 11 games thus far. This year, he has 35 total tackles, one interception, two pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries.
The Chiefs already lost a few players to injury for this game, including left tackle Donovan Smith with a neck injury and linebacker Drue Tranquill, who was placed in the team’s concussion protocol. In addition, safety Justin Reed
