JuJu Smith-Schuster injury update: Latest on Chiefs WR's status for Week 11 Fantasy Football

JuJu Smith-Schuster began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, being a member of the black and gold from 2017-22. He had success with the Steelers in his early years with the team, recording over 2,500 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns in his first two seasons.

After a disappointing 2021 campaign where he caught 15 balls for 129 yards in five games and was injured, Smith-Schuster left the Steel City and joined the Kansas City Chiefs.

In his first season with the Chiefs, Smith-Schuster was an impactful wide recevier, recording 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns. He left the following season to sign with the New England Patriots before returning back to the Chiefs as they dealt with injuries at the wide recevier position.

In the five games he's appeared in for the Chiefs this season, Smith-Schuster has nine catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.

What happened to Smith-Schuster? Will he play in Week 11?

JuJu Smith-Schuster during New Orleans Saints v Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Getty

Smith-Schuster suffered a hamstring injury during the Chiefs' victory against the San Franciso 49ers on Oct. 20. Following the injury, Andy Reid and the Chiefs elected to not place Smith-Schuster on injured reserve.

Smith-Schuster has missed the Chiefs' last three games as a result of the injury. After being sidelined for nearly a month, Smith-Schuster is close to a return.

On Monday, Reid gave a positive update regarding Smith-Schuster, stating that he is very close to returning.

"Coach Reid says JuJu Smith-Schuster, Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu are all "very close" to returning."

Getting Smith-Schuster back this week would be big for the Kansas City Chiefs

JuJu Smith-Schuster during Baltimore Ravens v Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Getty

The Chiefs have been thin at wide recevier for much of the season. Before the season even started, newly acquired wide recevier Marquise "Hollywood" Brown suffered clavicle injury that has left him out for the year.

In the Chiefs' Week victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, second-year wide recevier Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 4. Smith-Schuster has missed the last three games for the Chiefs.

In that span, the Chiefs acquired wide recevier DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans via trade and it has worked out for them so far. In his three games as a Chief, Hopkins has 14 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Getting Smith-Schuster back would help provide depth and give Mahomes another weapon back at the wide recevier position.