Chiefs’ Week 12 win over Colts comes at a cost with several injuries that could impact upcoming Thanksgiving game vs. Cowboys
The Kansas City Chiefs are quite banged up after the Week 12 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 12 win over the Colts was precisely what they needed to get things back on track, but it came at a considerable cost, given the team’s upcoming schedule.
The Chiefs suffered several injuries during Week 12, with three players ruled out during the game. The most concerning of the three is RG Trey Smith, who suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter and was ruled out when the team came out for the second half.
It’s an extra-short week for Kansas City, with a road game on Thanksgiving against the Dallas Cowboys. They’ll be back in the building on Monday, practicing for the next three days before traveling to Dallas on Wednesday. Given the short turnaround time, even a minor injury could lead to a player missing the game.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides postgame injury update after Week 12 win over Colts
After the game, Reid updated reporters on the injury situation. There’s a lot of wait-and-see in the evaluations, given that it’s a short practice week.
“As far as the injuries go, Trey Smith hurt his ankle,” Reid said. “(Mike) Caliendo came in and did a nice job for him, but we’ll see how it is as days go forward. (Chris) Roland-Wallace hurt his lower back. Again, we’ll just see how it goes this week. And then Noah (Gray) got hit in the head, and so he’ll go through evaluations there, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Chiefs’ injuries suffered during Week 12 vs. Colts
- Ruled out: RG Trey Smith (ankle)
- Ruled out: DB Chris Roland-Wallace (back)
- Ruled out: TE Noah Gray (concussion)
- Returned to game: WR Rashee Rice (hamstring)
Rice finished the game no worse for wear and spoke to the media at the podium afterward. That’s a good sign for his availability and injury status for Week 13. We already know that Xavier Worthy is playing through a few injuries. Kareem Hunt took a bruising in this game and will likely spend this week in the cold tub. Isiah Pacheco is still working his way back from a knee injury. The reality is that the Chiefs will likely play it safe with the three players who were ruled out of the game.
Smith tried to play through the ankle injury on Sunday but was ultimately ruled out. Caliendo did a fine job in his place and is probably better-suited for the right guard spot. Gray is perhaps a stretch to clear concussion protocol by Thursday.
That could likely lead to a bigger role for Robert Tonyan and to second-year tight end Jared Wiley being active for the first time in a hot minute. Back injuries can be nagging in the NFL, which likely leads to Roland-Wallace being held out as well.
That one’s not ideal, given his emergent role at nickel corner, and the wide receiver combination of George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb on deck in Week 13. The one thing it could lead to is more snaps for rookie CB Nohl Williams at cornerback with Trent McDuffie moving back into the slot.
Kansas City Chiefs News
Kareem Hunt does his best Priest Holmes impression when the Kansas City Chiefs needed it most
Kareem Hunt and the Chiefs had to have that touchdown vs. the Colts.
