Kansas City Chiefs rule out two defensive players for Thursday’s game against Chargers
For the third time this week, a Chiefs player is dealing with an issue related to COVID-19. And this one has been ruled out for Thursday night’s road game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs on Wednesday released their injury report, and it shows that linebacker Willie Gay Jr. has been placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list. He will not play against the Chargers, the Chiefs confirmed.
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who missed Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders following the death of his brother, also won’t play, the team confirmed.
Sneed is third on the Chiefs with 62 tackles, trailing only linebacker Nick Bolton and safety Tyrann Mathieu. Sneed has two interceptions and a sack.
Gay, who has two interceptions and a half-sack in nine games, missed this season’s first four games after being placed on injured reserve because of a toe injury.
Both players were chosen by the Chiefs in the 2020 NFL Draft. Gay was a second-round pick, and Sneed was a fourth-round selection.
Defensive lineman Chris Jones, who on Tuesday entered the COVID-19 protocol, is not part of the injury report. The same is true of wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.
In order to be eligible to play Thursday night, both players would have to be asymptomatic and have two negative COVID-19 tests taken 24 hours apart.
More about their status should be known Thursday.
Award for Mike Hughes
The NFL recognized Chiefs cornerback Mike Hughes as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Sunday’s 48-9 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hughes started at right cornerback and made his presence felt on the Raiders’ first offensive play. He scooped up Josh Jacobs’ fumble and ran it back for a 23-yard touchdown. Hughes later forced two fumbles in the game and tallied a team-high nine tackles.
Hughes became the first Chiefs cornerback to win the award since Marcus Peters did so in Week 17 of the 2017 season.
The Star’s Herbie Teope contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 1:35 PM.
