Chiefs in perfect health as Texans get some bad news in final injury report update ahead of AFC divisional round

It won't be long now for the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, as they've both completed their final practice sessions ahead of the AFC divisional round.Thursday's practice brought some bad news for the Texans, who saw RB Joe Mixon sit out of the final practice of the week due to injury. Mixon first appeared on the […]

Charles Goldman NFL Managing Editor
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Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

It won't be long now for the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, as they've both completed their final practice sessions ahead of the AFC divisional round.

Thursday's practice brought some bad news for the Texans, who saw RB Joe Mixon sit out of the final practice of the week due to injury. Mixon first appeared on the injury report with an ankle injury on Wednesday after practicing in full on Tuesday to start the week. Texans media members strongly believe Mixon will still play on Saturday, but this at least raises some questions about his potential availability. Even if he does play in the game, there's certainly reason to believe he won't be 100% healthy. 

Kansas City's injury report remained the same, with no new injuries reported on Thursday. Chiefs HC Andy Reid confirmed to reporters that they're leaning toward activating CB Jaylen Watson (ankle) and not yet WR Mecole Hardman (knee). Both players are currently on injured reserve, and the team has one free space available on the 53-man roster.

Let's examine the Chiefs' and Texans' final injury reports of the week, complete with game status designations for the divisional round of the playoffs. . .


Final Chiefs injury report

PlayerInjuryTuesdayWednesdayThursdayGame Status

WR Mecole Hardman (IR)

Knee

LP

LP

LP

Doubtful

CB Jaylen Watson (IR)

Ankle

FP

FP

FP

Questionable

DT Chris Jones

Knee

FP

FP

FP

RT Jawaan Taylor

Knee

FP

FP

FP

RB Isiah Pacheco

Ribs

FP

FP

FP

QB Patrick Mahomes

Ankle

FP

FP

FP

CB Trent McDuffie

Knee

FP

FP

FP

LT D.J. Humphries

Hamstring

FP

FP

FP

DB Chamarri Conner

Shoulder

FP

FP

FP

WR Nikko Remigio

Wrist

FP

FP

FP

FB Carson Steele

Hip

FP

FP

FP

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

Observations:

  • Mecole Hardman is the lone Chiefs player to carry a doubtful game status designation for the AFC divisional round.
  • Jaylen Watson was given a questionable game status designation despite practicing full-time all week long. The team has until tomorrow afternoon to activate him from injured reserve.

Final Texans injury report

PlayerInjuryTuesdayWednesdayThursdayGame Status

LB Azeez Al-Shaair

Knee

DNP

LP

LP

Questionable

OL Shaq Mason

Knee

DNP

LP

FP

OL Juice Scruggs

Ankle

DNP

LP

FP

WR Robert Woods

Hip

DNP

DNP

LP

Questionable

DL Denico Autry

Knee

LP

LP

FP

TE Dalton Schultz

Shoulder

LP

LP

FP

WR Nico Collins

Rest

LP

DL Will Anderson Jr.

Hand/Elbow

FP

FP

FP

OL Nick Broeker

Hand

FP

FP

FP

TE Teagan Quitoriano (IR)

Calf

FP

FP

FP

Questionable

RB Joe Mixon

Ankle

LP

DNP

Questionable

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

Observations:

  • A trio of key Texans are listed as questionable for the divisional round, including Joe Mixon, who sat out of practice on Thursday after an injury in practice on Wednesday.