The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Tennessee Titans by a score of 35-32 on Sunday, and during the loss, one notable absence was running back LeSean McCoy, who was a healthy scratch.

Afterward, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained his reasoning for benching the veteran:

“LeSean’s not getting any younger, so it’s important I manage him the right way as we go,” Reid told reporters, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.

Reid deemed it a “load management” day for McCoy, taking a page out of Kawhi Leonard's book.

Damien Williams got most of the burn at halfback for Kansas City, carrying the ball 19 times for 77 yards in what was actually a rather pivotal defeat, as it allowed the Oakland Raiders to move within a half-game of the Chiefs for first place in the AFC West.

Kansas City signed McCoy just before the season started after he was released by the Buffalo Bills.

The 31-year-old has had a strong year with the Chiefs overall, rushing for 371 yards and a couple of touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry, marking just the second time McCoy has averaged five yards per attempt since 2014. He has also logged 20 catches for 129 yards and a score.

However, last week, McCoy turned in his least productive performance of 2019, as he carried the ball three times for a total of nine yards in a win over the Minnesota Vikings, so perhaps that factored into Reid's decision.

McCoy spent the first six years of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, making three Pro Bowls and earning a pair of First-Team All-Pro selections. He was then traded to the Bills, where he made three straight Pro Bowls from 2015 through 2017.