How the ‘questionable’ Chiefs delivered answers (with emphasis) in victory over Broncos
The NFL says a player listed as questionable means uncertainty surrounds his availability for the next game.
But speaking to some of the Chiefs who were listed as questionable for Thursday night’s home showdown against the Denver Broncos, missing this game — which resulted in a 19-8 triumph — wasn’t an option.
“When you have the leaders in the locker room, the guys I look up to, and they’re playing through anything for this team, this organization, you just follow their lead,” defensive end and second-year pro George Karlaftis said.
A day before the game, the statuses of Karlaftis, tight end Travis Kelce and punter Tommy Townsend were designated as questionable. Karlaftis was nursing a hamstring injury, and Kelce twisted his right ankle last weekend in Minnesota.
Townsend hyper-extended his left (non-kicking) knee during practice this week.
So, how did the wounded fare against the Broncos?
Kelce finished with nine receptions for a season-high 124 yards. He’s totaled more yards in a game only 11 times in his 11-year career.
“He did a great job,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Kelce. “They played a lot of zone coverage, so he could work the middle of the field.”
Kelce even delivered an ad lib. His first reception went for five yards. But before he was tackled, he pitched the ball to fellow tight end Noah Gray, who went another seven.
“We give so much freedom to Trav,” Mahomes said. “But he’s not supposed to pitch the ball. I know that for sure.”
Karlaftis, who hasn’t missed a start in his two years with the Chiefs, batted down two passes, recorded a quarterback hurry and shared one of the Chiefs’ four sacks with Malik Herring. He helped the Chiefs’ defense have an excellent game.
“More of a reaction thing,” Karlaftis said of the batted passes. “Coaches preach about getting our hands up when we’re near the quarterback.”
Townsend punted three times for a 38-yard net average. But his shortest boot was downed at the 5, and he also had a 62-yarder.
Of the three questionable Chiefs players, Townsend’s availability may have been the most uncertain. He didn’t appear on the injury list until Wednesday. He said his knee locked up when he planted it.
Townsend said he tested the knee Thursday morning and “it didn’t feel great.”
But Townsend met with team trainer Rick Burkholder and special teams coordinator Dave Toub and said he could play against the Broncos.
“I’m just happy I’m not in more pain, and structurally my knee is fine,” Townsend said. “I was going to hold regardless, but it became one of things where I said I just have to go.”
The last time the Chiefs played on a Thursday night, Kelce suffered a hyper-extended knee two days before the season opener against the Detroit Lions.
He was held out of that game and the Chiefs (5-1) lost.
But no one who missed practice, or whose practice time was limited during this short week, would miss this one.
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 12:27 AM.