Chiefs’ Chris Jones misses second straight practice ahead of AFC Championship Game
The Kansas City Chiefs’ injury report for Thursday maintained status quo from Wednesday.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), running back LeSean McCoy (illness) and quarterback Matt Moore (illness) did not practice for a second straight day, while tight end Travis Kelce (knee) was limited.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said before practice that Jones is “getting better” before adding that Jones isn’t quite ready to return.
Whether Jones can get in some work Friday, which marks the final practice ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium, is to be determined.
“I’m not saying he’s not going to practice,” Reid said. “He’s just not doing it today. We’ll see. Every situation is a little different. I’ll just see it goes and see where he’s at, and try not to put him in a position where obviously he gets hurt or hurts the team.”
Jones injured his calf during last Thursday’s practice and entered the AFC Divisional Round as questionable. He attempted a pregame warmup, but the Chiefs erred on the side of caution by declaring Jones inactive after he experienced difficulty pushing off his right leg, which was protected by a sleeve and brace.
This week, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle was observed Wednesday and Thursday watching his teammates work. Thursday’s session was indoors, and Jones wore a black sleeve over his right calf while doing some stretching on his own as Chiefs players stretched.
If Jones can’t play against the Titans, the Chiefs are likely to lean on an interior rotation among defensive tackles Derrick Nnadi, Khalen Saunders, Mike Pennel and Xavier Williams for a second straight game.
As for Kelce, the tight end was limited in all three practices leading to the AFC Divisional Round because of what Reid categorized last week as a bone bruise. Kelce played and totaled 10 catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns on 12 targets, so there shouldn’t be a concern with his limited status this week.
The Chiefs listed Saunders (knee), guard Andrew Wylie (ankle), center Austin Reiter (wrist), cornerback Morris Claiborne (shoulder), cornerback Kendall Fuller (knee) and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon as practicing fully.
Claiborne hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in Week 13 of the regular season.
