Chiefs' latest injury report for Week 16 vs. Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs were back at work on Thursday ahead of their Week 16 clash with the Las Vegas Raiders. Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke with the media ahead of practice to give his typical update on injured players. The team is still dealing with some illnesses and some players who have been battling […]
The Kansas City Chiefs were back at work on Thursday ahead of their Week 16 clash with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke with the media ahead of practice to give his typical update on injured players. The team is still dealing with some illnesses and some players who have been battling through injuries are sitting out of the first practice to start the week.
"Alright, we've got a couple of guys who are sick," Reid said. "Nick Bolton is sick and Cam Jones is sick. We had a couple (of sick players) last week, so we went through all of that. Then, (Jerick) McKinnon with the groin (injury) won't practice today. (Kadarius) Toney with the hip strain won't practice today."
There was, of course, some good injury-related news as the team gets prepped for their penultimate AFC West game of the 2023 NFL season.
Chiefs get three key offensive players back on the practice field:
The Chiefs welcomed back three offensive players on the practice field on Thursday. The most notable is WR Mecole Hardman, who was placed on injured reserve in Week 12 with a thumb injury. He's been designated to return from injured reserve, opening up his practice window.
"He'll be out there," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. "He's got 21 days, I think it is. So, he'll be out there today and get some work in. We'll just see what he does."
Reid will have 21 days to decide whether they'll activate Hardman to the 53-man roster. He could be back in the fold as early as this week or the team could decide to take their time.
In addition to Hardman, RB Isiah Pacheco was back at practice, as expected. He'll be in line to regain his starting role on offense in Week 16 should he not suffer a setback during the practice week.
Donovan Smith is another returning player on offense. He's missed the past two games with a neck injury (stinger). It's unclear if Smith will retake the starting job from rookie LT Wanya Morris, who has filled in during his absence.
Check back later for the latest injury report from practice:
| Player | Injury | Participation |
|---|---|---|
LB Nick Bolton | Wrist/Abdomen/Illness | DNP |
LB Cam Jones | Illness | DNP |
RB Jerick McKinnon | Groin | DNP |
WR Kadarius Toney | Hip | DNP |
WR Mecole Hardman (IR) | Thumb | LP |
LT Donovan Smith | Neck | LP |
TE Travis Kelce | Neck | FP |
LT Wanya Morris | Hip | FP |
RB Isiah Pacheco | Shoulder | FP |
S Justin Reid | Knee | FP |
WR Rashee Rice | Hamstring | FP |
RG Trey Smith | Hip | FP |
CB L’Jarius Sneed | Knee | FP |
KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related
Observations:
- Several new names have popped up on the injury report this week, such as Travis Kelce, Wanya Morris, and Trey Smith. All three were full participants in practice.
- Only limited practice for Donovan Smith and Mecole Hardman, which suggests each will be eased back in following their injuries.
- CB Josh Williams (illness) is no longer on the injury report after missing Week 15 against the Patriots. He was a late addition to the injury report last week.
For more information on the Raiders' injury situation, check here.
Chiefs favored to get flawless Christmas presents in Week 16
The Kansas City Chiefs have opened as big favorites over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season.
