Brandon Watts – Noteworthy
S Armani Watts, a rookie, stepped in for injured Eric Murray but left the game with a groin injury shortly afterwards. Watts aggravated an injury he sustained in practice on Thursday; he entered Sunday’s game as questionable.
The injuries at safety seriously tested the team’s depth in the secondary. Jordan Lucas, acquired in a trade from Miami just prior to the start of the season, stepped in for Murray and Watts and delivered his first career interception.
“(Lucas) steps in, he’s been playing special teams for us,” Reid said. “He steps in and gets an interception, which is a great deal.”
The Chiefs have been without expected starting safeties Eric Berry and Daniel Sorensen for the first five games of the season. Lucas finished the game alongside Ron Parker in the backend of the secondary. Neither player appeared on the team’s roster until after the club’s final preseason game.
“Our safeties, I’m not sure you want to play safety for us,” Reid said. “It’s a rough position right now. We’re down to about our sixth safety.”
The Chiefs signed free agent safety Josh Shaw on Tuesday to add additional depth at safety. He was not active on Sunday, however.
Adam Thielen – Noteworthy
WR Adam Thielen became the fourth receiver to top 100 yards against the Eagles defense this season, joining Julio Jones, DeSean Jackson, and Corey Davis. Thielen had seven receptions for 116 yards and a three-yard touchdown catch.
Kirk Cousins – Noteworthy
QB Kirk Cousins ended Sunday with a passer rating of 109.6 with 39 completions in 37 attempts for 301 yards with one touchdown. The Vikings only scored one offensive touchdown.
Linval Joseph – Noteworthy
DT Linval Joseph had a 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Joseph’s touchdown came with the score tied at 3-3 and the Eagles on the march, reaching the Vikings’ 31. It was there that defensive end Stephen Weatherly, playing more snaps with Everson Griffen out, beat right tackle Lane Johnson with an inside beeline move straight at Carson Wentz, who never stood a chance. Weatherly popped the ball up and it landed in Joseph’s hands.
“I paired it off with speed off the ball,” Weatherly said of his big play. “The tackle kind of overset and I was able to power inside and come down on the quarterback. I wasn’t trying to go for anything special, just trying to wrap him up and get him to the ground the proper way so I wouldn’t get a flag. I looked up and (Joseph) is running in the opposite direction.”
Joseph lumbered 64 yards for a touchdown with 4:12 to play until halftime.
“We needed some points, we needed a big play,” Joseph said. “That was a big play. I felt like that jump started us to go out there and get the win.”
Johnson saw the play a bit differently.
“We thought it was a blitz,” he said. “I was siding out for the blitzer, never came. I looked inside of me, sacked the quarterback, and I think led to us losing the game. I’ll bite the bullet. There is no excuse. Put it all on me. I’d like to have that play back, no question.”
Stefon Diggs – Noteworthy
WR Stefon Diggs had 10 grabs for 91 yards.