Will Kadarius Toney Be Ready By Week 1? Fantasy Football Injury Update

Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs traded for former New York Giants first-round pick Kadarius Toney. He appeared in seven games for the Chiefs during the regular season, catching 14 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns. In three playoff games, Toney had seven catches for 50 yards and a score.

It looked like the Chiefs were planning to use Toney as their No. 1 receiver this season, but a wrench was thrown into those plans this summer, as Toney had surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his knee.

Ever since, Toney's status for Week 1 has been up in the air. Let's see what the latest news is on Toney's availability for the Chiefs heading into the season.

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Is Kadarius Toney Going To Play In Week 1?

Toney was injured on the first day of training camp, putting him behind the eight-ball in terms of preparation for the 2023 season. Early on, there was some optimism that Toney would be available early on in the 2023 season despite the knee surgery.

That optimism became even brighter when Toney wasn't placed on the Injured Reserve to begin the season, an indication that even if he's not available in Week 1, he should be on the field at some point soon.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has said there's a chance Toney plays in Week 1. That's not a guarantee, but it at least sounds possible, which is a bit of a surprise considering he had knee surgery in late July.

Should I Play Kadarius Toney In Week 1 Fantasy Football?

As mentioned above, there's no guarantee that Toney is actually on the field in Week 1. Veach expressed that it could happen, but he didn't guarantee that it actually happens. A lot will depend on how the next week goes.

But the idea that he could play is good news for fantasy managers. The Chiefs have a relatively inexperienced wide receiver corps, and a healthy Toney is an electric player who could make a big impact on this team.

If Toney plays, there's a chance he'll be a little bit limited though. Without training camp or the preseason to help him get into game shape and build more of a rapport with Patrick Mahomes, Toney might not see the kind of usage he would have seen if he hadn't been injured.

Overall, Toney looks to be a WR4 with upside in 2023, but because of the injury concerns, he should be viewed more as a WR5 option if he suits up in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions.

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