Chiefs estimate multiple players, including L’Jarius Sneed, wouldn’t practice Wednesday
The Chiefs didn’t practice Wednesday, but the team was required to release an estimated injury report as if they were on the field.
It’s a good thing the Chiefs didn’t work out because multiple players would have been absent.
The Chiefs estimated that cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (concussion) and wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), Mecole Hardman (pelvis) Kadarius Toney (ankle, hamstring) would not have been able to practice.
Even if the Chiefs had taken the practice field, the announcement doesn’t come as a surprise because that group of players suffered their respective injuries just days ago in the Chiefs’ 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. None of them were able to finish that game.
The Chiefs are currently on a bye week ahead of Super Bowl LVII but will return to practice Thursday and Friday. The Chiefs are likely to closely evaluate the injured group and each player will carry a practice designation the next two days.
Sneed, in particular, must make progress in the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol before he’s allowed to resume any on-field work.
Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (shoulder) and right guard Trey Smith (ankle) were projected as limited participants if the Chiefs had scheduled a practice for Wednesday. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle), running backs Isiah Pacheco (wrist) and Jerick McKinnon (ankle) and wide receiver Justin Watson (illness) would have practiced fully.
The Chiefs are home through the rest of the week before traveling on Sunday to Arizona. The team will then go through another week of preparations, including practices, before squaring off against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Feb. 12, in Super Bowl LVII.
This story was originally published February 1, 2023 at 3:31 PM.
