Lucas Niang, #OL35, TCU Horned Frogs (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive lineman Lucas Niang has decided to opt-out of playing during the 2020 season
Due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, the Chiefs have seen multiple players opt out of playing during the 2020 season. The list has grown on Thursday morning, with the third known Kansas City player deciding he won’t be suiting up this campaign.
The latest player to opt-out is offensive lineman Lucas Niang, who the Chiefs selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft back in April. He joins fellow lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and running back Damien Williams as the known Kansas City players who have decided they won’t be putting on their jerseys and pads this fall.
The Chiefs have now seen Lucas Niang, Damien Williams and Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff opt out of the 2020 season
A third-rounder out of TCU, Niang suffered a hip injury in 2019 and had his senior campaign with the Horned Frogs cut short because of it. Despite missing action last season, the massive 6-foot-6, 315-pounder figured to see early playing time with the Chiefs this fall.
However, fans will now have to wait until at least 2021 to see him take the field for the reigning Super Bowl champions. As mentioned above, he becomes the third Chiefs player to opt-out, joining Duverynay-Tardiff and Williams in making the tough call.
When Williams opted out, it came as a bit of a surprise. However, the team used its first-round pick on LSU speedster Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who now figures to play a huge role in the offense during his rookie campaign.
For Niang, this decision was not an easy one, but he’s received full support from the Chiefs coaches and front office. In total, the NFL has now seen more than 60 players opt out of playing this upcoming campaign.