Chiefs place running back Spencer Ware on injured reserve, activate Xavier Williams
The Kansas City Chiefs made a couple of moves on Christmas Day ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs placed running back Spencer Ware, who suffered a shoulder injury in Week 16, on injured reserve and activated defensive tackle Xavier Williams (ankle) from injured reserve to the active 53-player roster, sources familiar with the situation told The Star.
Ware, who previously played for the Chiefs from 2015 to 2018, rejoined the team in Week 14 in the wake of running back Darrel Williams landing on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Ware appeared in three games, totaling 73 yards (51 rushing) and a touchdown while contributing to the Chiefs’ winning streak.
Ware’s injury occurred in Damien Williams’ first game back from a rib injury suffered in Week 11, and the Chiefs will now finish out the regular season and prepare for the postseason with Williams, LeSean McCoy and rookie Darwin Thompson in their backfield.
Meanwhile, Xavier Williams returns to the active roster after landing on injured reserve in Week 5 with a high-ankle sprain.
His return provides depth for the Chiefs’ interior defensive line, where he’ll be in a rotational role with defensive tackles Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel and rookie Khalen Saunders.
The Chiefs listed Williams as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
In other injury-related news, left guard Andrew Wylie (ankle) and cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder) were officially listed as limited during Wednesday’s practice. Wylie missed last week’s game, while Claiborne hasn’t played since suffering the shoulder injury in Week 13.
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who dealt with what coach Andy Reid previously described as a tweaked shoulder in Week 16, center Austin Reiter (wrist), cornerback Rashad Fenton (hamstring) and kicker Harrison Butker (glute) were listed as full participants.
Of note, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was on the injury report in recent weeks with a right hand injury, is no longer listed on the Chiefs’ report.
This story was originally published December 25, 2019 at 3:46 PM.
