Chiefs Rookie Delane Intercepts, Exits With Shoulder Injury
15 sourcesUpdated Sep 15, 2026
Mansoor Delane intercepted Bo Nix on his third NFL play in the Chiefs season opener Monday night, landed on his right shoulder, and left the field. Kansas City turned it into Patrick Mahomes' 15-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Delane, the No. 6 pick out of LSU after the Chiefs traded up from No. 9 with Cleveland, was questionable to return. He had missed much of training camp and the preseason opener with a right shoulder injury and did not return for the Broncos' second drive. Nate Taylor of ESPN reported Delane "is questionable to return with a shoulder injury" after he "lands on his right shoulder" and "wasn’t on the field for the Broncos’ 2nd drive," noting the prior camp injury. David J. Chao, a former NFL team doctor, wrote "By video, right AC joint sprain. To locker room, but possible to return with injection." Cooper McDonald left with a knee injury, also questionable. Mahomes played nine months to the day after his ACL tear. The Chiefs had drafted Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas too after losing Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams; Denver had topped the AFC West last season for the first time since 2015.
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Hope Delane's injury isn't serious since he was already making an impact on his third play in the league.
Mahomes turning the turnover into points fast shows why the Chiefs stay dangerous even after an early hit.
Delane showing he can ball right away with that pick but the shoulder pop is rough timing for a rookie.
