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Joe McKnight was finally back. He was coming off one of his best games in his NFL career, catching eight passes for 64 yards and his first two offensive touchdowns in Kansas City's 34-15 win over Miami.
But McKnight's season is likely over and his career in jeopardy after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in practice Friday.
McKnight was supposed to be the heir apparent to Reggie Bush at USC as the No. 1 running back prospect in the country, but while he showed glimpses of brilliance, McKnight never came close to the impact that Bush had as a USC Trojan.
Joe McKnight was drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the New York Jets and spent three years in green, primarily as a kick returner, but was released before the 2013 season. He spent the entire season out of football after none of the other 31 teams took a shot on McKnight, but this January, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave him another opportunity to make a team.
After offseason knee surgery, McKnight didn't show much during the preseason this year, but was still able to make the Kansas City roster. With Jamaal Charles out with an ankle injury, McKnight saw his first real action this year and made the most of his opportunity. He doubled his career NFL touchdown total from two to four with the pair of touchdown receptions on Sunday, prompting Andy Reid to tell him, "You're back" after one of them.
McKnight was injured Friday while running a route in a non-contact injury:
Doug Pederson said McKnight ruptured his Achilles during yesterday's practice. Was running a route. Non-contact injury.
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) September 26, 2014
He becomes the third Chiefs' player to go down with a ruptured Achilles injury. This afternoon, Joe McKnight took to Twitter to thank the fans and give a final message about his future:
Thanks for all the love
— JOE MCKNIGHT (@OfficialJoeJet) September 26, 2014
Something good will come from this #imnotdone
— JOE MCKNIGHT (@OfficialJoeJet) September 26, 2014
McKnight becomes to second former Trojan to suffer a season-ending injury this week after the Vikings placed Matt Cassel on the injured reserve list yesterday.