Chiefs' injury situation shows signs of improvement at the midweek mark ahead of Week 10 tilt with Broncos
The Kansas City Chiefs' injury situation is improving as they prepare to face the Denver Broncos in Week 10. While they still have two non-participants, the Chiefs had two players upgraded to full participants in practice after limited participation to start the practice week on Wednesday. The one limited player who wasn't upgraded during Wednesday's 10-10-10 practice […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' injury situation is improving as they prepare to face the Denver Broncos in Week 10.
While they still have two non-participants, the Chiefs had two players upgraded to full participants in practice after limited participation to start the practice week on Wednesday. The one limited player who wasn't upgraded during Wednesday's 10-10-10 practice was WR Mecole Hardman, who suffered a shoulder injury on a punt return during Week 9's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke to Hardman's toughness on Thursday.
"Unfortunately, that’s where he got hit and landed on his shoulder," Toub said. "But he was able to come back in the game and he toughed it out and came back. It says a lot about him.”
Patrick Mahomes continued to participate in full, despite having a heavy tape job on his left ankle.
Second Chiefs Injury Report
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster | Hamstring | DNP | DNP |
DT Tershawn Wharton | Knee | DNP | DNP |
WR Mecole Hardman | Shoulder/Knee | LP | LP |
RB Kareem Hunt | Quad | LP | FP |
DE George Karlaftis | Abdomen | LP | FP |
DE Mike Danna | Pectoral | FP | FP |
CB Nazeeh Johnson | Concussion | FP | FP |
QB Patrick Mahomes | Ankle | FP | FP |
DT Derrick Nnadi | Triceps | FP | FP |
KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related
Observations:
- Kareem Hunt continues to be upgraded on Thursday after getting limited practice on Wednesday. This is the third consecutive week of that load management plan for Hunt.
- George Karlaftis being upgraded to a full participant is a great sign of his availability. He was out for the final drive of the game on Monday, but he should be good to go for Sunday.
- Tershawn Wharton still being unable to practice doesn't bode well for his chances, but no downgrades for Nazeeh Johnson and Mike Danna is a positive sign as we approach the final practice session of the week on Friday.
Second Broncos Injury Report
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|
DT D.J. Jones | Knee | FP | FP |
S P.J. Locke | Thumb | FP | FP |
S Delarin Turner-Yell | Knee | FP | FP |
DE Zach Allen | NIR – Rest | LP | FP |
OT Mike McGlinchey | Knee | LP | FP |
LB Drew Sanders | Achilles | LP | LP |
C Luke Wattenberg | Ankle | LP | FP |
KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related
Observations:
- The Chiefs weren't the only team with an improving injury situation as three players saw their status upgraded for Denver. The one to watch is former third-round pick Drew Sanders. He hasn't played this season, but he played in all 17 games for the Broncos as a rookie in 2023.
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The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos meet in a pivotal AFC West showdown in Week 10.