Kansas City Chiefs place key special teams contributor on NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list
The Chiefs were down a core contributor on special teams for Thursday’s practice.
The Chiefs announced that wide receiver Marcus Kemp had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, a move that leaves his status for Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys in doubt.
The Chiefs didn’t say whether Kemp tested positive or was designated as a close contact, but his vaccination status will play a role in how long he must stay away from the team’s facility.
The NFL informed teams over the summer that vaccinated players or staff members who test positive and are asymptomatic are allowed to return following two negative tests taken 24 hours apart.
If Kemp is not vaccinated, his status would be governed by the league’s 2020 COVID-19 protocols, which would call for a 10-day isolation period. That’s what happened to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the days leading up to the Chiefs’ home game against Green Bay two weeks ago.
Rodgers was unable to play in that game but returned for last weekend’s game against Seattle.
The Chiefs’ wide receiver corps would take a hit if Kemp isn’t available. But wide receivers coach Joe Bleymaier believes the position group should be OK — another wideout, such as Demarcus Robinson or Byron Pringle, could fill in for Kemp on special teams Sunday.
“We’ll have people ready to go,” Bleymaier said. “When their opportunity this week arises, they’ll make the most of it. But we’ll definitely miss Kemp, jack of all trades on special teams and being able to fill at any point.”
Through 10 games, Kemp has seen action on 41 offensive snaps (6% of the Chiefs’ total plays) and 200 snaps on special teams (80%).
Kemp isn’t the only player who missed practice Thursday. Rookie Lucas Niang, who is dealing with an injury to his ribs, was to miss a second straight day. He originally suffered the injury in Week 9 and didn’t play in the Chiefs’ Week 10 win at Las Vegas.
The Chiefs listed cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) as a limited participant for a second straight day and added defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi to the injury report as practicing fully with a hip injury.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (groin), tight end Travis Kelce (neck), left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (toe), left guard Joe Thuney (hand), right guard Trey Smith (ankle), fullback Michael Burton (pectoral), cornerback Mike Hughes (elbow) and linebacker Dorian O’Daniel (shoulder) put in a full practice for a second straight day.
For the Cowboys, running back Ezekiel Elliott (knee), wide receiver Amari Cooper (hamstring), quarterback Will Grier (knee), wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (triceps), kicker Greg Zuerlein (activated from reserve/COVID-19 list) and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) practiced fully Thursday
Tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) and cornerback Nahshon Wright (hamstring) were limited, while cornerback Kelvin Joseph (personal) did not practice.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 1:08 PM.
