Well this probably isn’t the kind of distraction the Chiefs want just hours before they play in the AFC Championship Game.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in Baltimore tomorrow to take on the Baltimore Ravens, hoping to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. But they’ll be doing it without wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who was ruled out for the game due to hip and ankle injuries after having not taken the field since December 17.
Or at least that’s what the team says…
But Toney has a different story. During an Instagram live, the WR disputed that he was injured, saying he’s not hurt and accusing the team of lying about his injuries.
(I’m not going to try to transcribe Toney’s comments, because pretty much the only part that wouldn’t have to be censored is “I’m not hurt.” But you can listen to his full remarks here).
🚨🚨WARNING, VULGAR🚨🚨#Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney continues to go CRAZY on IG Live, ripping the team.
😳😳😳
pic.twitter.com/YPDJYb8tkn— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 28, 2024
Of course Toney has gotten a lot of heat this season for some big drops, like this one against the Patriots that led to an interception.
Kadarius Toney bobbles a perfect throw from Mahomes and it leads to an interception
The Chiefs need to cut this man ASAP pic.twitter.com/Rj279fdHI7
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) December 17, 2023
Or this one against the Detroit Lions early in the season.
How did Kadarius Toney drop this 😂🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/I8HOSO7TGF
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 8, 2023
Or this one from earlier in the same game that led to a pick six.
Absolutely BRUTAL drop by Kadarius Toney causes a Patrick Mahomes Pick 6
Tie game pic.twitter.com/Vqk4h73jt4
— Gomer (@GomesDaLegend) September 8, 2023
Or this one from the matchup between the Chiefs and Bills late in the regular season.
#Chiefs Kadarius Toney dropped pass vs the Bills pic.twitter.com/dZLQKJ8L1u
— Tanner Phifer Highlight Hub – @TannerPhiferNFL (@hub_pf40320) December 10, 2023
You get the idea…
It’s led to some visible frustration from Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at times on the sideline.
This was Patrick Mahomes' reaction after Kadarius Toney dropped a pass that ended up being picked off by the Patriots. pic.twitter.com/lYA3DqB02H
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 17, 2023
Toney ended up finishing the regular season, his third in the NFL, with a disappointing 13 receiving yards per game average, and only 27 catches on 38 targets for 167 total receiving yards in the 13 games that he played.
And when it was announced that he would be out against the Ravens, the internet called it a win for the Chiefs:
Huge break for the Chiefs https://t.co/y4bTbI6xZe
— A. Rob (@Allen_Robinson) January 27, 2024
A blow to the Ravens chances https://t.co/NIQnbsl2Bm
— Aaron (@abake6) January 28, 2024
Toney also had his first child last night, so that may be part of the reason he’s not appearing in today’s game – but according to the WR himself, it’s not due to injury:
Kadarius Toney had his first child tonight. A baby girl. That's where the personal part of his designation came from. He's also dealing with a hip injury that is keeping him out tomorrow. https://t.co/XxkqM7qI6s
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024
Whatever the reason for his absence, it’s looking more and more like Toney’s time with the Chiefs is coming to an end.
