Stephen A. Smith sent a 'Thursday Night Football' preview into a tailspin when he cited the importance of several players who won't be in the game

Stephen A. Smith had a rough segment on Thursday morning on ESPN's "First Take."
While the show previewed the "Thursday Night Football" matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith referred to Hunter Henry and Derrick Johnson, both of whom haven't played this season.
Smith's preview left many perplexed, including his cohosts, Max Kellerman and Tedy Bruschi.

Stephen A. Smith is almost undoubtedly the most valuable personality that ESPN has to offer.

Between his hot takes, his electric demeanor, and the seemingly endless hours of time he's able to fill for the network as a TV panelist, radio host, interviewer, interviewee and many more hats he tends to wear there is no face more familiar to casual viewers of the Worldwide Leader.

But even Smith has an off day every once in a while. On Thursday morning, he was apparently in need of an extra cup of coffee.

During a preview of Thursday night's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers on "First Take," the conversation went to Smith, and things derailed.

Smith caught Max Kellerman and Tedy Bruschi off guard by mentioning Chiefs running back Spencer Ware, who took over the starting role for Kansas City after Kareem Hunt left the team but had already been announced as doubtful on Thursday night, forcing the Chiefs to turn to Damien Williams as the lead back.

The Chiefs have had a lot of turnover at the position over the past few weeks, and Smith's mention would have been forgettable if it were the only mistake.

Kellerman caught the error, which Smith was quick to correct.

"I'm thinking Tyreek Hill. I'm thinking Patrick Mahomes," Smith said, recovering smoothly into references to two of the Chiefs' stars.

He then referred to the "San Diego Chargers." This was not the worst mistake in the world either, but it has been two years since the team moved to Los Angeles and suddenly the errors are starting to mount.

Smith then mentioned an impossible matchup between Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, who tore his ACL in May and hasn't played a snap all season, and Derrick Johnson, who no longer plays linebacker for the Chiefs.

"I'm thinking about Hunter Henry and the way that he's played this year," Smith said, "and as effective as he's been, he's going up against Derrick Johnson, and I've got to keep my eyes on that."

Bruschi and Kellerman's faces said it all.