Chiefs' Thursday injury report for Bengals
The Kansas City Chiefs continued their preparations ahead of the Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. They saw one player return to practice with CB Jaylen Watson (illness) back on the field. Unfortunately, another player was out from practice in RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness). The team was also still without players like […]
The Kansas City Chiefs continued their preparations ahead of the Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.
They saw one player return to practice with CB Jaylen Watson (illness) back on the field. Unfortunately, another player was out from practice in RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness). The team was also still without players like LT Donovan Smith (neck) and WR Kadarius Toney (hip) who both missed last week's game.
Two other key players remained out of practice on Thursday, which puts their status very much in question for the upcoming game.
Two key players trending toward missing Week 17:
Chiefs' starting running back Isiah Pacheco remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and has missed two consecutive practices. He needs at least a limited practice on Friday to be able to return to action in Week 17. Without it, he likely won't make a return until the final week of the 2023 NFL season. The absences at the RB position left La'Mical Perine taking all of the first-team repetitions at practice on Thursday.
An injury on the other side of the ball could prove even more difficult for the Chiefs to overcome. L'Jarius Sneed, who is playing at an All-Pro level this season, missed his second consecutive practice with a calf injury. Steve Spagnuolo weighed in on how they'd handle things if Sneed was unable to play on Sunday.
"Yeah, well, it'll look a little different," Spags said. "You guys have seen, LJ has traveled with usually their top wideout. So, the decision we'll have to make. Do we put someone else in that role (or) do other things than we normally do, stay right and left? So, we'll figure that out when the time comes."
Spagnuolo added that the team is hopeful that Sneed can play in Week 17. He mentioned the fact that Sneed went back in the game in Week 16 after suffering the calf injury and finished the entire game.
Typically, Andy Reid requires one limited practice for players to have a shot to play in an upcoming game. He'll occasionally make an exception for some veterans, but Friday's practice will be a big deal for Sneed.
Check back later for the latest injury report from practice:
| Player | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday |
|---|---|---|---|
CB L’Jarius Sneed | Calf | DNP | DNP |
CB Jaylen Watson | Illness | DNP | FP |
RB Isiah Pacheco | Concussion/Shoulder | DNP | DNP |
LT Donovan Smith | Neck | DNP | DNP |
WR Kadarius Toney | Hip | DNP | DNP |
RG Trey Smith | Ankle/Knee | LP | LP |
LB Nick Bolton | Wrist/Abdomen | FP | FP |
S Mike Edwards | Knee | FP | FP |
WR Mecole Hardman (IR) | Thumb | FP | FP |
CB Trent McDuffie | Shoulder | FP | FP |
DE Charles Omenihu | Groin | FP | FP |
CB Josh Williams | Neck | FP | – |
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Illness | – | DNP |
KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related
Observations:
- Second consecutive limited practice for Trey Smith, who was replaced late in Week 16 by Nick Allegretti.
- Josh Williams has been removed from the injury report, which is good news with the injury to L'Jarius Sneed and the return of Jaylen Watson.
For more information on the Bengals' injury situation, check here.
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