Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Chiefs' Wednesday injury report for Bills
The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their first practice session of the week on Wednesday ahead of their AFC showdown with the Buffalo Bills in Week 14.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid kicked off his media availability with a lengthy rundown of the injury situation, including updates on the three players who left Week 13 with injuries.
"As far as injuries go, (Isiah) Pacheco actually came in with a shoulder contusion," Reid said. "We'll see how he works out here. He'll have that checked. He won't work out today. Bryan Cook had the ankle sprain. He's being evaluated still. Then, Donovan Smith, has a neck stinger."
"Drue Tranquill is still in concussion protocol," Reid concluded. "Those guys will not practice today. We'll just see down the road here how that all goes."
Cook, Smith, and Tranquill seem unlikely to play in Week 14 given their current injuries and status. Pacheco might have the best shot of all four players who are missing practice on Wednesday.
While the injury list is rather lengthy heading into the practice week, the Chiefs did have some good news on the injury front.
Nick Bolton and Jerick McKinnon are close to returning
The Chiefs could be getting some reinforcements on both sides of the ball this week with two players potentially ready to return from injury. Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) and LB Nick Bolton (wrist) are that much closer to healthy and getting back on the football field. Reid described both players as "close" to making a return.
"Yeah, they're close," Reid said of McKinnon and Bolton. "They'll practice today."
Chiefs DT Chris Jones was elated by the prospect of getting Bolton back on the field for Week 14 against the Bills.
"I'm excited to have my linebacker back," Jones said. "That's my linebacker, man. I'm so excited to have him back. I know he makes a huge difference for this defense. His leadership, his playcalling, his adjustments to the game. He does a tremendous job for us as a leader."
Chiefs hopeful Isiah Pacheco will practice later this week
While Pacheco won't practice to start the week, a team source tells A to Z Sports that the Chiefs are hopeful Pacheco will be able to get some practice time in later this week. His injury is still being evaluated, but so long as they're only dealing with a contusion, the big issue will be pain management. Pacheco could return to practice in a limited or full capacity as early as Thursday. It's possible that the team treads carefully and only allows him to practice in a limited capacity this week while ramping up repetitions for McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Remember, Edwards-Helaire's best game of his career came against the Bills in 2020.
Check back later for the latest injury report from practice:
| Player | Injury | Participation |
|---|---|---|
RB Isiah Pacheco | Shoulder | DNP |
S Bryan Cook | Ankle | DNP |
LT Donovan Smith | Neck | DNP |
LB Drue Tranquill | Concussion | DNP |
RB Jerick McKinnon | Groin | LP |
WR Rashee Rice | Foot | FP |
LB Nick Bolton (IR) | Wrist | FP |
LB Darius Harris | Wrist | FP |
QB Patrick Mahomes | Pec | FP |
WR Skyy Moore | Knee | FP |
CB L'Jarius Sneed | Knee | FP |
WR Kadarius Toney | Hip | FP |
KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related
Observations:
- Nick Bolton was a full participant in practice for the first time since he was designated to return from injured reserve.
- Patrick Mahomes is listed as a full participant with a pec injury. He took a hard hit that was flagged in the final two minutes of the game against the Packers.
For more information on the Bills' injury situation, check here.
