Why multiple KC Chiefs players, including Chris Jones, missed Wednesday’s practice
The Kansas City Chiefs were down multiple players, including five starters, for Wednesday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the Washington Football Team.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (wrist), wide receiver Tyreek Hill (quad), left guard Joe Thuney (hand), linebacker Anthony Hitchens (knee), cornerback Charvarius Ward (quad) and tight end Blake Bell did not practice Wednesday.
“It seems like a long list,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “But I think when it’s all said and done we’ll be able to get guys back here in the next little bit, which is a positive thing.”
The Chiefs rested Jones, who first appeared on the injury report with the wrist injury in Week 3, for all three practices last week before declaring him inactive for their Week 5 home loss to Buffalo on Sunday.
Reid said the two-time Pro Bowler is making progress.
“Where he feels comfortable where he can play; that’s literally it,” Reid said. “When he feels that and that he could do his job, then he’ll be back in. He’s getting better, though.”
Aside from Jones and Ward, who has missed three straight games, the remaining Chiefs players suffered their respective injuries against the Bills.
Thuney broke his hand during the Bills game but played all 83 offensive snaps. Reid said the Chiefs are not considering placing him on short-term injured reserve.
“Probably not right now,” Reid said. “He just did the walk-through with us, and so I think it’s just we’ll give him a little time here for that thing to settle down. I think we’ll have a chance to be OK.”
The Chiefs have bolstered their offensive line by elevating tackle Prince Tega Wanogho from their practice squad. If Thuney can’t play Sunday, the Chiefs’ options at left guard include Nick Allegretti, who started nine games there in 2020, and veterans Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Mike Remmers and Andrew Wylie.
As for Hill, the Chiefs are taking a cautious approach. He made seven catches for 63 yards in 73 snaps against the Bills.
“It happened during the game and he played through it,” Reid said. “He’s got a little swelling in there, so we’ll back off of him.”
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed also didn’t practice Wednesday, but the Chiefs designated his absence as “not injury-related, personal.” Right tackle Lucas Niang (hamstring) and cornerback Chris Lammons (shin) were able to practice in full.
For the Chiefs’ Sunday opponent, the Washington Football Team, wide receiver Curtis Samuel (groin), running back Antonio Gibson (shin), tackle Sam Cosmi (ankle), linebacker Jared Norris (shoulder), wide receiver Cam Sims (hamstring) and guard Brandon Scherff (knee) did not practice Wednesday.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb (shoulder), defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (knee), wide receiver Dyami Brown (knee) and defensive tackle James Smith-Williams (toe) were limited in practice for Washington.
This story was originally published October 13, 2021 at 12:30 PM.
