Chiefs get good injury news on final report for Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs finished out the practice week with some good injury news ahead of their Week 8 tilt against the Denver Broncos.  Veteran RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) and K Harrison Butker (illness) each sat out practice on Thursday after being full participants to start the week. Those two players returned to practice on Friday, […]

Charles Goldman NFL Managing Editor
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Harold R. Kuntz / FOX 4 Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs finished out the practice week with some good injury news ahead of their Week 8 tilt against the Denver Broncos. 

Veteran RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) and K Harrison Butker (illness) each sat out practice on Thursday after being full participants to start the week. Those two players returned to practice on Friday, which gives them a much greater chance to play in Week 8. The only player who missed the final practice of the week was LB Nick Bolton (wrist), who was never expected to participate this week following his surgery. 

There was more good news about a player who is set to make his return in Week 8. 

Justin Watson makes quick return from dislocated elbow

Just a few short weeks ago when the Chiefs hosted the Broncos in Arrowhead, WR Justin Watson suffered a dislocated elbow during the game. The initial outlook had him missing anywhere from 4-6 weeks, but he has made a remarkably quick recovery and will only miss a single week. 

Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed that Watson is good to go for Week 8's game against the Broncos. He didn't suffer a setback during the practice week, but there is one caveat. He'll be wearing a rather bulky brace on his elbow. 

"He has a brace that he wears, but he's handled it well," Reid said. "(He) catches the ball well. Initially, it was awkward, but he's gotten used to it."

He should pick up right where he left off as one of the team's top receiving threats, so long as the brace doesn't impact his play on the field.

Find the latest injury report from practice, complete with game status designations below:

PlayerInjuryWednesdayThursdayFridayGame Status

LB Nick Bolton

Wrist

DNP

DNP

DNP

OUT

S Mike Edwards

Elbow

FP

FP

FP

RB Jerick McKinnon

Groin

FP

DNP

FP

WR Justin Watson

Elbow

FP

FP

FP

K Harrison Butker

Illness

DNP

FP

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

Observations:

  • No game status for Harrison Butker means that Justin Reid will remain the emergency kicker. 
  • No game status for Jerick McKinnon is good news. Perhaps just a veteran rest day on Thursday to manage a long season. 

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