The Kansas City Chiefs are getting hit by the injury bug at the absolute worst time of the season. 

Chiefs HC Andy Reid gave his usual pre-practice injury update on Wednesday, and he confirmed that the team would have nearly a half-dozen players sitting out of practice to start the week. A few of the injuries are familiar, while a few new ones have popped up after the Week 16 loss to the Raiders. 

There wasn't much good news as far as the injury situation is concerned this week. 

Five players sitting out practice to start the week

A total of five players are set to miss the Chiefs' first practice of the week as they prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. Two new players on the defensive side of the ball cropped up with injuries.

"L'Jarius Sneed won't go today, he's got a calf strain," Reid began. "Jaylen Watson is sick. (Isiah) Pacheco is in the (concussion) protocol. Donovan Smith still has the tingling with the (neck) stinger there. Then, Kadarius Toney, with the hip strain." 

Reid described Toney as "day-to-day" which will make Chiefs fans cringe. He added that Smith's injury requires time for proper recovery to take place. Smith has already missed three weeks, and could potentially miss a fourth week now.

The Pacheco injury is especially tough with Jerick McKinnon already on injured reserve. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La'Mical Perine may be the only two running backs available to play this week, given the time needed to clear the concussion protocol. 

This doesn't even include the several players who could be limited in practice, such as RG Trey Smith, who also suffered a calf injury in Week 16. 

Will Mecole Hardman make his return in Week 17?

After Week 16, it's apparent that the Chiefs' offense needs a desperate infusion of speed. Mecole Hardman has been designated to return from IR, but he's yet to be activated, now a week into his 21-day practice window. Will he be back in the fold and on the 53-man roster this week? 

Chiefs HC Andy Reid says it's not a given.

"We'll see," Reid said. "We're going to give him another chance to get out there and practice. So we'll see how that goes."

Hardman will have to prove he's ready during the practice week to end up back on the field. Then the question becomes, how do you make space for him on the 53-man roster?

Check back later for the latest injury report from practice:

Player	Injury	Participation
CB L’Jarius Sneed	Calf	DNP
CB Jaylen Watson	Illness	DNP
RB Isiah Pacheco	Concussion/Shoulder	DNP
LT Donovan Smith	Neck	DNP
WR Kadarius Toney	Hip	DNP
RG Trey Smith	Ankle/Knee	LP
LB Nick Bolton	Wrist/Abdomen	FP
S Mike Edwards	Knee	FP
WR Mecole Hardman (IR)	Thumb	FP
CB Trent McDuffie	Shoulder	FP
DE Charles Omenihu	Groin	FP
CB Josh Williams	Neck	FP

KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Observations:

• Charles Omenihu, Mike Edwards, and Trent McDuffie are among the new additions to the injury report. All three practice in full on Wednesday.
• Trey Smith's injury is now being called an ankle/knee injury and not a calf injury.
• Mecole Hardman turned in his first full practice since being designated to return from IR.

For more information on the Bengals' injury situation, check here.

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