Trio of Ex-Chiefs WRs Get Primetime Opportunity Amid Bizarre Rash of Injuries
Multiple Kansas City Chiefs cast-offs at wide receiver are lined up for some major playing time tomorrow night on Thursday Night Football, as the San Francisco 49ers attempt to weather a wild rash of injury news.
Per NFL insider Ari Meirov, the 49ers are expected to start their Week 5 outing with some combination of Demarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Russell Gage at wide receiver. They’re also being forced to turn to backup quarterback Mac Jones with Brock Purdy ruled out.
Among the other unavailable 49ers are wide receivers Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, rookie Jordan Watkins, and Brandon Aiyuk (IR). Not to mention superstar tight end George Kittle.
Needless to say, San Francisco is hurting pretty badly right now, and the three ex-Chiefs cast-offs (Robinson, Valdes-Scantling, and Moore) may be their only hope as they attempt to eek out a win over the division rival Los Angeles Rams.
49ers’ TNF Injury Mess at Wide Receiver Sparks Patrick Mahomes Joke
GettyFormer Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling during Super Bowl LVIII.
The irony here is that for most quarterbacks, this sets up as a disaster, but for Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes, it feels like any given season.
A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman was the first to point that out on October 1, joking: “Patrick Mahomes could win a Super Bowl with this group.”
Now, Goldman used the word “could” because Mahomes has never played with this specific cast of wide receivers in its entirety, but the funny part is that he actually has won a Super Bowl with each of the aforementioned cast-offs.
Robinson was with KC for Super Bowl LIV, which was played against the 49ers. Although the former fourth-round draft pick failed to log a catch in that outing, he did record 3 catches for 35 yards during the 2019-20 playoff run.
Robinson was also with the Chiefs for Super Bowl LV loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, contributing 1 reception for 11 yards.
Moore is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, but he only suited up for one of the two title games. Appearing on just 14 offensive snaps against the Philadelphia Eagles in February of 2023, Moore caught a key 4-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes.
Finally, Valdes-Scantling had arguably the most impactful playoff run with KC of the trio in 2022-23, despite being shut out against the Eagles. In the AFC Championship game that year, “MVS” posted 6 receptions for 116 yards and 1 touchdown. He also had a touchdown catch in the previous round.
Like Moore, Valdes-Scantling then won a second Super Bowl ring with KC in 2023-24, except he played in the game — which was a 49ers rematch. MVS registered 3 catches for 20 yards and 1 touchdown during his second championship performance.
Chiefs Fans Have More Reason to Watch Thursday Night Football After WR News
Robinson and Valdes-Scantling have had their moments, but none of these three ex-wideouts has achieved the level of team success that they did with Kansas City since leaving town.
Moore is the most recent departure, so this will only be his fifth appearance as a 49er. The failed second-round pick has 1 catch for 10 yards so far in San Francisco, and has mostly returned kickoffs and punts.
Then there’s Valdes-Scantling, whose career has really taken a downward turn outside of a few big games with the New Orleans Saints in 2024.
Robinson has been the most successful away from the Chiefs, and put together a career year with the Rams in 2024 (31 receptions for 505 yards and 7 touchdowns). The 31-year-old was suspended to start the 2025 campaign, and Week 4 was his first appearance with San Francisco.
Dillon Gabriel Takes Subtle Shot at Shedeur Sanders After Being Named Browns QB
The Cleveland Browns have made a quarterback change ahead of Week 5.
The Browns announced that Joe Flacco has been benched in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel will get his first career NFL start in England against the Minnesota Vikings.
After Gabriel was announced as the starter, he seemingly took a subtle jab at Shedeur Sanders.
“You know, I think it’s funny, because I got a text from a good buddy of mine and he sent me a picture of a fire station, and it’s kind of like, ‘Why are you sending that?’ But when he sends it, he just lists the obvious, right? Like, doors are open, garage doors are open, like things are ready to go, and like, they’re just waiting on that phone call to like, respond surgically,” Gabriel said to the media.
“Just what a great representation of like the job I have and being ready for that moment,” Gabriel added. “And I think I smile because it’s like a moment you prep for, and you are extremely excited for, but also got to realize that it’s extreme focus and that’s what I’ve continued to harp on. But, you wait for the perfect time, you’re going to wait a whole lifetime. So, for me, I’m just – I’ve always been ready for every moment.”
After Gabriel’s comment, many fans thought he was taking aim at Sanders. Sanders, of course, reportedly turned down being picked by the Baltimore Ravens as he thought he had a better chance to start for the Browns.
Gabriel, meanwhile, was fine being a backup and waiting for his time to start, and he will now be getting his first start on Sunday.
Fans Believe Gabriel Called Out Sanders
Although Gabriel didn’t mention Sanders’ name, many Browns fans thought he was taking a dig at his fellow rookie quarterback.
The shade to Shedeur is wild 😂😂😂😂 oh it’s on now the super computer I bet not hear no excuses
— Monty (@Monty90848555) October 1, 2025
“Second time taking a subtle shot at 12 being as he only expresses love and respect for his teammates ! Hope you ball out either way,” a fan wrote.
“I think Dillon Gabriel HATES Shedeur. Second time he’s sneaky dissing him to the media,” another fan wrote.
During training camp, Gabriel claimed there are entertainers and there are competitors, and he’s looking to compete. But, he claimed that the comment wasn’t directed at Sanders, but some fans think this latest comment proves he doesn’t like Sanders.
“2nd time not a coincidence,” a fan added.
“Never seen nothing like this lol teammates dissing other teammates,” a fan wrote.
“He better play lights out…throwing shade at your teammate when the roster and whole world is calling for him isn’t smart,” a fan added.
Although Browns fans think Gabriel was taking aim at Sanders, the quarterback is just focused on starting his first career game.
Browns Coach Explains Decision to Start Gabriel
After four weeks of poor offensive play, the Browns opted to start Gabriel in favor of Flacco.
Following the news that Cleveland was making a quarterback change, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski explained the reason for the change.
“Obviously, from the second he’s been here, he’s been working very hard, (a) very intelligent young man,” Stefanski said. Done a nice job in practice; he’s been learning this whole season how to get ready, understand the rhythm of an NFL week, and what that looks like as a backup. Obviously, now feel like he’s ready to go in as a starter.”
It’s clear Stefanski has full confidence in Gabriel to turn the Browns‘ offense around.
