The Kansas City Chiefs had a second starter from their Super Bowl LIV win withdraw due to coronavirus concerns, as running back Damien Williams informed team officials he would be absent for the season 2020.
“As an organization, we certainly understand and respect Damien’s choice, knowing that it was made in the best interests of his family,” CEO Brett Veach said Wednesday. “He means a lot to our football team as a player and as a person, and we’re going to miss having him this season.”
The Chiefs drafted a running back, LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, in the first round this year. They also have two of their running backs from last season, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson, and the addition of free agent DeAndre Washington.
Williams, due to various injuries, was limited to 11 regular-season games and six starts in 2019, but he still led the Chiefs in the rush with 498 yards. He not only started the Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but was a star. He rushed for 104 yards and scored the last two touchdowns of the game in the fourth quarter, one on a 5-yard Patrick Mahomes pass that gave the Chiefs the lead and the other on a 38 rush. yards that gave them a final 31-20. margin over the 49ers.
Williams has scored six touchdowns in the Chiefs’ three playoff games.
Williams joined the Chiefs in 2018 after four seasons, primarily as a replacement for the Miami Dolphins. He replaced Kareem Hunt as the Chiefs star at the end of the 2018 season.
The starting goalkeeper Laurent Duvernay-Tardif also chose not to participate in the 2020 season.
.
