Kansas City Chiefs News

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans have completed their first practices ahead of their Saturday divisional playoff round matchup at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs couldn’t have better news to begin the practice week as every single player participated in some fashion. Many key starters were battling ailments during the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos, but fortunately they got to sit out and rest as Kansas City had the No. 1 seed in the AFC locked up.

How do the Chiefs plan to manage Patrick Mahomes ankle injury?How do the Chiefs plan to manage Patrick Mahomes ankle injury?

That is now paying off in a big way. Let’s take a look at the first injury reports of the week for both the Chiefs and Texans. . .

First Chiefs Injury Report

Player
Injury
Tuesday

WR Mecole Hardman (IR)
Calf

CB Jaylen Watson
Ankle
FP

DT Chris Jones
Knee
FP

RT Jawaan Taylor
Knee
FP

RB Isiah Pacheco
Ribs
FP

QB Patrick Mahomes
Ankle
FP

CB Trent McDuffie
Knee

LT D.J. Humphries
Hamstring
FP

DB Chamarri Conner
Shoulder
FP

WR Nikko Remigio
Wrist
FP

FB Carson Steele
Hip
FP

Observations:

Chris Jones logging a full practice is an excellent sign that he’ll be playing in this game. Jones injured his calf against the Texans back in Week 16 and sat out the Chiefs’ Christmas Day game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as Week 18 against Denver with all the other starters.
Jaylen Watson also appears to be making his return from an ankle injury that he suffered back in Week 7. He has practiced for about two weeks now since K.C. opened his 21-day practice window. Coach Andy Reid did mention while speaking to the media on Tuesday that Watson may be on a bit of a snap count, but having him back in any capacity will be a boost for Chiefs’ secondary.
It looks like the Chiefs are still taking things slowly with Mecole Hardman, but even a limited practice is a step in the right direction. If he’s able to practice in full in either of the next two days, he could have a shot to play this week, but he’ll have to be activated off of injured reserve.

First Texans Injury Report

Player

LB Azeez Al-Shaair
Knee
DNP

OL Shaq Mason
Knee
DNP

OL Juice Scruggs
Ankle
DNP

WR Robert Woods
Hip
DNP

DL Denico Autry
Knee
LP

WR Nico Collins
Rest
LP

DL Will Anderson Jr.
Hand/Elbow
FP

OL Nick Broeker
Hand
FP

TE Teagan Quitoriano
Calf
FP

Observations:

Al-Shaair’s status will be closely monitored as he is one of the leaders of Houston’s defense. The Chiefs avoided him in Week 16 as Al-Shaair was serving a three-game suspension.
It has already been reported that starting right guard Shaq Mason will not play in this game as he continues to recover from a knee injury. His backup, Juice Scruggs, also missed practice on Tuesday, so the Texans appear to be quite thin at that position heading into Saturday.
Veteran Robert Woods also did not practice on Tuesday. With how thin the Texans are at receiver, being without Woods would not be ideal.
Denico Autry and tight end Dalton Schultz are key players who were limited. They are both likely on track to play, but if they have a setback it would be a big blow for Houston.