Chiefs could see a key starter return vs. Chargers. Plus other injury updates
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs need four straight wins to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture vs. Chargers.
- Right guard Trey Smith could return Wednesday after an ankle injury that cost two games.
- Trent McDuffie will test a hyperextended knee Wednesday; status will dictate coverage.
The Kansas City Chiefs officially have their backs against the wall, needing four straight wins to close the season merely to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture. That effort begins on Sunday against the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers.
The good news for the Chiefs in an otherwise-grim situation is they could see right guard Trey Smith return to the lineup. Smith has missed the last two games after suffering an ankle injury in KC’s Week 12 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
“We’ll see how he does (Wednesday),” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “He’ll be in there (Wednesday), though, yeah. (We’ll) just see.
While Smith returns to the field, fellow starter Jawaan Taylor will not. Reid said Taylor remains out with his triceps injury, meaning Kansas City is likely to stay with the same tackles used against Houston — undrafted rookie Esa Pole on the left and veteran Jaylon Moore on the right.
Behind Pole and Moore last Sunday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes said he felt he had ample time to operate.
“I thought they did a great job,” he said. “(The Texans have) a great defensive line, with a lot of guys coming in, in the game as well and stepping up — I thought they did a great job of fighting and battling and giving me time to make some of these throws down the field. They’ll have to continue that. This is another great challenge for them.”
Defensively, the Chiefs sounded cautiously optimistic regarding the status of All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, who left Sunday’s game early with a hyperextended knee. A positive for McDuffie is that Reid confirmed he would work in at least some capacity Wednesday.
“We’ll just see how (Wednesday) goes,” Reid said of McDuffie. “He’s been sore, so we’ll see how it works through the week. But he’ll go (Wednesday) and see what he can do.”
The Chiefs listed Smith as a “full” participant and McDuffie as “limited” in their official Wednesday injury report.
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM.
