DENVER -- Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained Monday that his decision to bench left guard Kingsley Suamataia for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos was not punishment toward the three-year player.
"This is just between Kingsley and I," Reid said, reiterating what he said after the Chiefs' 28-24 loss. "It's not something that's earth shattering. I'll just keep it there."
Prior to Sunday's game, Suamataia was a full participant in the Chiefs' three practices last week and wasn't on the team's injury report. But during the team's pregame warmup, backup guard Mike Caliendo, a four-year veteran, took most of the reps at left guard with the rest of the starting offensive line. Caliendo played all 69 of the Chiefs' offensive snaps while Suamataia was on the field for just five snaps on special teams.
Without Suamataia, the 2024 second-round pick, the Chiefs didn't have much success running the ball against the Broncos. Running back Kenneth Walker III finished with just 69 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Caliendo also struggled in pass protection on the final snap of the game -- a fourth-and-goal from the Broncos' 6-yard line -- in losing to defensive end Malcolm Roach, who sacked quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
"I didn't say it was punishment, ever," Reid said of Suamataia being benched in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. "This was just between Kingsley and I working some things out here. This isn't punishment. I'll leave it at that."
Despite being benched twice this season, Suamataia is likely to return to the starting lineup for the Chiefs' next game against the New York Jets.
"He's family," tight end Travis Kelce said of Suamataia after the game. "Everybody has their own road. We love Kingsley, and we think he's a hell of a player. At this time, I'm not even sure what the scenario is. I'm rolling with whoever we've got in that game.
"I'm sure Kingsley is drooling, trying to get back out there. We just have to find ways to win games, and Kingsley is one of those guys that will be ready next time his number is called."