KC Chiefs’ Sneed not playing, but Charvarius Ward is ready for action at Chargers
The Chiefs won’t have one of their starting cornerbacks available for Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium, but they other is ready to go.
Charvarius Ward, who appeared on the injury report just hours before kickoff with an illness, is active for the game.
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, offensive lineman Kyle Long, quarterback Shane Buechele and safety Zayne Anderson did not dress for the game.
In the case of Sneed, who was ruled out on Wednesday’s injury report, not playing for another week means the Chiefs are in adjustment mode. Expect the team to lean heavily on Mike Hughes, who started in Sneed’s place in Week 14, Rashad Fenton and Deandre Baker opposite of Ward.
Hughes is coming off a game in which he totaled nine tackles, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and forced two fumbles en route to being named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Safety Tyrann Matheiu can also slide down to play the nickel cornerback position if needed. The three-time All-Pro safety totaled 18 snaps against slot receivers in Week 14.
Offensive lineman Andrew Wylie, who showed up on Wednesday’s injury report as questionable with a knee injury, was in uniform Thursday night. The Chiefs could stick with Wylie at right tackle over rookie Lucas Niang.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and wide receiver Josh Gordon were not activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list and do not count against the active roster. All three entered the league’s COVID protocols in the days leading up to Thursday night’s game.
To bolster depth on their game-day roster, the Chiefs on Thursday elevated wide receiver Daurice Fountain, rookie cornerback Dicaprio Bootle, defensive tackle Cortez Fountain and linebacker Darius Harris from the practice squad.
For the Chargers, quarterback Easton Stick, safety Alohi Gilman, cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., running back Larry Rountree III (the Mizzou product), and defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko will not play against the Chiefs.
