HOUSTON – Charles Omenihu regularly envisions a time when he’ll renew his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks, busting past blocks to disrupt plays at and behind the line of scrimmage.
Until then, though, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl champion defensive end is remaining patient as he diligently rehabilitates his knee after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.
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A former Texans fifth-round draft pick from the University of Texas and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Omenihu is on track in his medical progress and is expected to return at some point during the regular season after getting hurt in January.
“It’s going good,” Omenihu told KPRC 2 during NFL trainer Jeremy Hills’ youth football camp at Crump Stadium in Alief. “Slow process, everybody told me it was going to be like that, but it’s been decent.”
Omenihu recorded a career-high seven sacks with 12 pressures in 11 games and one start during the regular season after signing a two-year contract with a maximum value of $20 million a year ago. He had five tackles for losses, 29 pressures, 11 quarterback hits, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles. He had a strip sack of Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson in the AFC title game.
For Omenihu, 26, it’s all about remaining patient as he works his way back to full health.
“Honestly, right now, I’m steady, I’m cool,” said Omenihu while gesturing with his hand at shoulder height. “I got to be like this. I kind of keep myself like that, just stay plain and we’ll get to the point where I ramp it up like that.”
Signed to a deal that includes $8.6 million fully guaranteed and a $7.25 million signing bonus, Omenihu is coming off the top season of his career statistically. He has 18 1/2 career sacks and five forced fumbles with 52 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for losses and 95 tackles.
Traded to the 49ers in 2021 from the Texans in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick, Omenihu had 4 1/2 sacks in 2022 for San Francisco along with 16 quarterback hits, 39 hurries and 54 total pressures. In three playoff games for the 49ers, he had two sacks and three quarterback hits with one forced fumble.
Omenihu is optimistic about how he can impact the Chiefs’ defense once he returns.
“Whenever I come back, whenever I come back, yes sir,” Omenihu said.
#Chiefs @Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu @charless_94 at Jeremy Hills' football camp 'It's always good to pass on knowledge.' Omenihu attended Paris Fashion Week for the first time and plans on going back: 'Paris was legit. It's going to be a yearly thing for me' @KPRC2 https://t.co/R6qyPbd2RX pic.twitter.com/RwEeqjLCHR
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 30, 2024
The Chiefs are going for their third consecutive Super Bowl win after winning it all each of the past two seasons.
Omenihu is confident in the team’s outlook.
“Definitely, the offense upgraded,” he said. “That’s not a bad thing. They can put a lot of on the board.”
Omenihu recently attended Paris Fashion Week, taking in the sights and sounds of the fast-paced fashion world while showing off his own style on the international scene.
“Paris was legit,” said Omenihu, who hung out with other NFL players, including Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, at the fashion shows. “It’s going to be a yearly thing for me. I wish I could have stayed out there, to be honest. It was fun. Paris Fashion Week was everything I needed it to be. I enjoyed it.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com