“According to multiple sources, the Chiefs are optimistic that Brown will rejoin his teammates on the practice fields in mid-December,” Nate Taylor of The Athletic reported.

Brown signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Chiefs this offseason. The 27-year-old caught 51 passes for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games for the Arizona Cardinals last year.

The Chiefs have had terrible luck with injuries to key players aside from Brown. Of note, Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured right fibula in Week 2 and missed nine games. Rashee Rice is out for the season after suffering a damaged LCL in Week 2. Kicker Harrison Butker is currently on IR with a knee injury.

But there’s good news ahead. Pacheco is a full participant in practice this week leading into Friday’s matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Butker’s injury isn’t expected to be a season-ender, giving him a chance to get back for the regular-season stretch run. And now Brown could be in the mix as well.

Brown’s been quite productive in the past, notably catching 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. Injuries curtailed Brown in 2023, namely a heel ailment that ultimately ended his season early and forced him to miss the final three games.

But now Brown could be nearing his Chiefs debut, a welcome sight for a team looking for the first-ever Super Bowl threepeat in franchise history.