KC Chiefs’ Chris Jones misses 3rd straight practice, could still play vs. Bills
The Chiefs wrapped up a week of practice Friday without star defensive end Chris Jones.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Jones didn’t participate in the final day of on-field work, marking the third straight day of missed practice for Jones (wrist) ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
Reid originally gave Jones a rest day on Wednesday, but it extended through the rest of the week.
“We’re trying to get it calmed down,” Reid said Friday of Jones’ wrist injury, which he’s dealt with since Week 3.
While a player missing a full week of practice typically doesn’t augur well for game day, Reid pointed out Jones is the type of veteran who could still absorb a full workload if he plays.
“He could do that,” Reid said.
The Chiefs later in the afternoon officially designated Clark as questionable on the injury report.
If Jones doesn’t play, the Chiefs would miss his presence on the edge. He has totaled seven tackles, two sacks and four quarterback hits through four games.
The potential return of defensive end Frank Clark could help soften the blow. Clark, who has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, put in a full week of practice and appears on track to play Sunday night. The Chiefs didn’t assign Clark a game designation.
The Chiefs are also likely to welcome back cornerbacks Charvarius Ward (quad) and Rashad Fenton, who suffered a concussion in Week 3.
“I’m pretty sure they’re going to be there unless something happened here,” Reid said.
The Chiefs listed Ward as questionable on Friday’s final injury report. Ward put in a limited practice Friday after practicing fully Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs are taking a wait-and-see approach on second-year linebacker Willie Gay Jr., whom Reid said didn’t practice Friday because of personal reasons.
Kansas City earlier in the week officially designated Gay, who remains on injured reserve with a turf toe injury suffered in the preseason finale, as “return to practice.” The designation opened a 21-day window for the Chiefs to decide whether to activate Gay to their 53-player roster.
“We’ll have to see, just see how it goes here in the next couple of days,” Reid said. “As long as he can get in, know his stuff and feels comfortable with his foot, we’ll be OK there.”
If Gay isn’t activated, the Chiefs have depth at the linebacker position with Anthony Hitchens, Ben Niemann, rookie Nick Bolton, Dorian O’Daniel and Darius Harris.
For the Bills, linebacker Matt Milano (hamstring), running back Taiwan Jones (hamstring) and defensive end A.J. Epenesa (foot) are questionable for Sunday night’s game in KC.
This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 2:03 PM.
