Chiefs get a big boost on offense, but also new injury concerns as they kickoff practice for Week 12 tilt with 8-2 Colts
A starter returns to practice for the Kansas City Chiefs, while two other starters are now dealing with injuries.
The Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) are gearing up for a pivotal AFC conference showdown with the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 12.
As the practice week got underway, Chiefs HC Andy Reid provided media members with pre-practice injury updates. He confirmed that one player wouldn’t practice on Wednesday, while another may participate in a limited capacity. He also confirmed that a player would be returning to practice after missing some time.
“As far as the injuries go for today’s practice, Kingsley (Suamataia) won’t practice, but he’s doing well,” Reid said. “He had a concussion, but he’s doing pretty good right now. Then, Xavier (Worthy), tweaked his ankle a little bit. He did the walkthrough; we’ll see about practice as we go forward here.”
Suamataia suffered a concussion in the third quarter of the Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. Worthy popped up late on the injury report last week with the ankle injury, but it’s something he’s been battling ever since returning to action following his shoulder injury. Don’t be surprised if he sits out Wednesday’s practice to get the ankle right.
Reid’s comments on Suamataia seem to suggest he’s not at risk of missing the Week 12 game vs. the Colts, but he’ll have to get at least a limited practice in before the week is over to have a chance. The NFL’s concussion protocol has five distinct phases meant to determine that cognitive ability has returned to baseline. Based on Reid’s comments, I’d anticipate that Suamataia is in Phase II, which introduces aerobic exercise. If his symptoms do not persist after this phase, he’ll be allowed to return to football-specific exercises and non-contact drills as a limited participant in practice.
If Suamataia isn’t able to practice and play in Week 12, the Chiefs will likely call upon Mike Caliendo to play in his place. He’s been a more suitable backup now than he was a season ago, but in a must-win game against Indianapolis, you’d certainly prefer your starter out there.
Of course, the injury news wasn’t all bad for Kansas City…
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco could make his return vs. Colts
Asked about Chiefs starting RB Isiah Pacheco, Coach Reid confirmed that he is expected to return to practice in some capacity on Wednesday.
“Yes,” Reid said.
This comes after Pacheco missed the past two games with an MCL injury suffered in the fourth quarter of the Week 8 win over the Washington Commanders. Before the injury, it truly felt like Pacheco was just finding his footing after struggling to bounce back from a leg injury during the 2024 season.
According to Kansas City Star beat reporter Pete Sweeney, Pacheco was working during practice while wearing a “heavy” brace on his right leg.
Right now, the running game needs all the help it can get. Pacheco is in the circle of trust alongside Kareem Hunt. The team is the absolute best version of itself in 2025 when there’s a sense of run-pass balance with those two players touching the football.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco’s 2025 rushing stats
- Carries: 78
- Rushing yards: 329
- Rushing touchdowns: 1
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