Continues Spinning For An All-Star Player Who Has Being Filed Out of Season…
Head coach Andy Reid declared several players out on Saturday, including left tackle Donovan Smith, wide receiver Kadarius Toney, and running back Jerick McKinnon. As a result, the Kansas City Chiefs will be somewhat shorthanded when they play the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas. Later on, wide receiver Mecole Hardman was also ruled out by the team.
Reid’s injury report means good news for running back Isiah Pacheco, who was a full participant in practice all week after missing two games due to a shoulder issue that was addressed with a surgical procedure to remove “floaters” from his shoulder. On Dec. 18, Reid said Pacheco was actually cleared to play against the New England Patriots, but that the Chiefs were being cautious with Pacheco’s return.
With McKinnon out, Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who made his practice comeback on Saturday after missing it on Friday due to an acceptable personal matter, will have to shoulder the majority of the workload at running back.
Reid was noncommittal when asked about Hardman before he was later officially ruled out. Hardman has not yet been activated off injured reserve but did return to practice with the team.
“Mecole did a good job, he was working out there, looked fast,” Reid said.
After placing wide receiver Skyy Moore on injured reserve on Dec. 18, the Chiefs will be without Hardman, Toney and Moore on Christmas, paving the way for wide receiver Richie James to get more playing time on Monday.
Smith was originally listed as a non-participant in Friday’s practice after being limited on Thursday, but after Saturday afternoon’s injury update, Smith was listed as a limited participant in all three of the week’s practices.
Smith’s absence leads to another opportunity for rookie Wanya Morris to start at left tackle again this week. Smith started the year as the Chiefs’ left tackle, but Morris has held the position since Smith exited the Chiefs’ game against the Green Bay Packers with a neck injury.
Nick Bolton missed practice on Thursday, but he was fully involved on Friday and Saturday. Even though his official injury is described as “wrist/abdomen/illness,” he is expected to participate on Monday.