Chiefs to be without three starters vs. Chargers as AFC playoff push tightens
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Smith and Taylor out; Suamataia to start on the Chiefs' OL.
- Hollywood Brown unavailable; Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Royals project larger roles.
- Johnston questionable; Derius Davis out; Molden and Pipkins doubtful.
The Kansas City Chiefs hoped that right guard Trey Smith (ankle) would be able to make his return this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
That won’t be the case, according to head coach Andy Reid.
Kansas City listed Smith as a full participant on Wednesday before downgrading him to limited on Thursday. Smith missed Friday’s practice entirely, though the head coach confirmed there was no setback.
“Just not ready to go,” Reid said of Smith. “He worked through and pushed himself, but I don’t think he’s quite there.”
Fellow starting lineman Jawaan Taylor (triceps) missed practice all week. With Smith and Taylor once again out of the mix, the expected starting offensive line (left to right) is Esa Pole, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Mike Caliendo and Jaylon Moore.
The line’s play was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise poor game for the Chiefs last week against the Houston Texans.
“I thought they did a great job,” Patrick Mahomes said of that rotation Wednesday. “That’s a great (Texans) defensive line with a lot of guys coming in – in the game as well and then 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. (The Chargers are) another great challenge for them.”
Hollywood Brown ruled out; Trent McDuffie questionable
The offense will also be without wide receiver Hollywood Brown.
Brown, who missed Wednesday’s practice due to personal reasons, was limited Thursday and did not practice Friday.
With Brown unavailable, Tyquan Thornton should see an increased workload, as he did earlier in the year with Xavier Worthy sidelined. Rookie Jalen Royals could also see his first action since Week 7.
Kansas City listed cornerback Trent McDuffie (knee) as questionable.
Key Chargers injuries to monitor
In their final injury report of the week, the Chargers listed wide receiver Quentin Johnston (groin) as questionable to play.
Johnston logged two full workouts before he was added to the report as a limited participant on Friday.
Returner Derius Davis (ankle) is out, while cornerback Elijah Molden (hamstring) and right tackle Trey Pipkins (ankle) are both doubtful.
