JuJu Smith-Schuster injury update: Should fantasy managers be concerned about the Chiefs WR for Week 9 Monday Night Football?

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their Week 9 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Andy Reid provided the team's first official injury assessment of the week on wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster on Thursday.

"And then JuJu Smith-Schuster won't practice, but making progress," Reid said ahead of Thursday's practice.

Due to the same hamstring injury that kept him out of all of last week's practices and kept him out of action against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, Smith-Schuster has now missed the Chiefs' first practice of the week.

The Chiefs have strengthened their wide receiver corps since Smith-Schuster's injury by acquiring DeAndre Hopkins, a former wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans. Possibly the signing of Hopkins will give the team more time to get Smith-Schuster back to full fitness.

There is optimism that Smith-Schuster, a former second-round draft pick, will play Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after Reid's comment regarding his recuperation on Thursday. However, he may need to return to practice on Friday or Saturday to do so.

Given that the team now has Hopkins to rely on in the passing game, the Chiefs' medical staff is probably going to put JuJu Smith-Schuster's long-term wellness ahead of hurrying him back.

Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Kansas City's practice reports from Friday and Saturday to determine whether Smith-Schuster is on pace to play against the Bucs in Week 9.

JuJu Smith-Schuster injury update: What happened to the Chiefs WR?

JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has only caught nine passes from 12 targets for 147 yards and one touchdown this season, has not yet really developed a consistent rhythm in the Chiefs' attack.

The seasoned wide receiver has missed one game due to a hamstring injury. He played against the San Francisco 49ers despite a hamstring issue that had been reported on the injury report prior to the Week 7 game. He played in only 10% of the offensive snaps throughout that game until his hamstring strain worsened and forced him to exit.

After that, Smith-Schuster missed the Chiefs' Week 8 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and Andy Reid indicated that he would take his time getting better.

If Smith-Schuster is unable to play against the Bucs, DeAndre Hopkins, who had two receptions for 29 yards in last week's game against the Raiders, is anticipated to play a bigger role alongside first-year wideout Xavier Worthy.

Once he is healthy again, Smith-Schuster may play a smaller role since Hopkins is already getting accustomed to the team's offensive strategy.