Chiefs coach Andy Reid denies Kadarius Toney’s assertion that the team fabricated his injury

On Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that Kadarius Toney had a hip injury, ruling him out of the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

In response, Toney disputed the team’s statement in a brief Instagram Live video, asserting that the Chiefs had lied about his injury. He expressed frustration, stating, “Man, that’s nonsense. I’m not injured. None of that. Save that. On God, not hurt. None of that. It goes from hip to ankle to this to that.”

After the Chiefs emerged victorious in the AFC championship game on Sunday, head coach Andy Reid addressed Toney’s claim. The potential repercussions of Toney’s accusation were significant, as the league has previously fined teams for providing inaccurate injury information.

On Monday, Coach Reid clarified that Toney’s presence on the injury report was genuine and not fabricated. Despite the receiver theoretically having reasons to be joyous after welcoming his first child, a daughter, on Saturday, he is using social media to criticize the Chiefs.

This is the same Kansas City team that supported him during the challenging 2023 season, including instances like multiple dropped passes in the season opener against the Detroit Lions and his decision to delete his social media following that game due to substantial criticism.

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Throughout the season, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Coach Reid consistently supported Toney, even when his offsides penalty nullified Kansas City’s go-ahead touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in a regular-season loss in December. However, tensions began to rise as Toney avoided taking responsibility for his actions, and his on-field performance did not show improvement.

The breaking point came when Toney’s fifth dropped pass led to an interception by the New England Patriots in Week 15. This incident marked the second time Toney deflected a pass, resulting in an interception by the opposing defense. It also turned out to be the last time Toney participated in a game.

Before the 2022 trade deadline, the Chiefs acquired Toney by trading conditional third- and sixth-round draft picks to the New York Giants. Despite making a notable contribution with a record-breaking 65-yard punt return that contributed to Kansas City winning its second Super Bowl in four seasons, Toney’s performance hasn’t seen improvement since joining the team in Missouri.

In his seven games with the Chiefs in 2022, he made 14 receptions out of 17 targets, gaining 171 yards and scoring two touchdowns—his first two scores since being drafted in 2021.

In the current season, he recorded 27 receptions on 38 targets, accumulating 169 yards and one touchdown. Notably, Kansas City led the league in dropped passes with 44, and among his targets, Toney’s drop percentage (13.2) ranks as one of the worst in the NFL.

The Chiefs are set to commence their preparations for the Super Bowl on Thursday, and Coach Reid mentioned that although Toney is currently “working through some things,” the receiver will be present for the team’s initial practice.