Inactives: Alex Smith To Miss Kansas City Chiefs Season Finale
By Ben Nielsen
A lacerated spleen will keep Alex Smith out of the Kansas City Chiefs’ week 17 games against the San Diego Chargers. It is the second-straight week 17 game against the Chargers Chase Daniel will start in place of Smith although last year was a coach’s decision.
Smith will be joined by rookie Phillip Gaines, who is out with an illness, on the inactives list. Gaines has shown well this season in his few opportunities and looks to be a solid piece for the Chiefs moving forward if he can stay healthy.
Donnie Avery is again a healthy scratch for the Chiefs. One can assume his time in Kansas City is likely over after the season.
Other inactives are of the usual variety: Marcus Cooper, Eric Kush, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, and Nick Williams.
San Diego will be without wide receiver Keenan Allen who is dealing with a shoulder and ankle injury. This is the second consecutive game Allen has missed for the Chargers.
Running back Ryan Matthews is also out after injuring his ankle.
Also out is punter Mike Scifres, who is also dealing with a banged up shoulder. No often do we find punters on the inactives list but that is the case today. That may help the Chiefs in the return game.
Here are the rest of the inactives for the Chargers: Greg Ducre, Chris Watt, Damion Square (former Chief), Ryan Carrethers, and Cordarro Law.