Dwayne Bowe likely out, Reid to mix and match players

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, it seems as if the Kansas City Chiefs will be without star receiver Dwayne Bowe for this weekend’s clash with the San Diego Chargers.

Fortunately, this game doesn’t mean anything as far as the playoffs are concerned, so Bowe being unavailable won’t hurt the Chiefs in Week 17.

For what it’s worth though—and it’s worth something in the long run—Bowe will be out with a concussion, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.

"Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe did not practice Thursday because of a concussion and is unlikely to play in Sunday’s road game against the San Diego Chargers.Bowe took a hit to the head and neck area from safety LaRon Landry in last Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Landry was penalized on the play."

Even if Bowe was able to compete this week, there’s a good chance head coach Andy Reid wouldn’t have played him; or played him much. Reid came out earlier this week and said that he would “mix and match” players for Kansas City’s final game in San Diego, according to Randy Covitz of the Kansas City Star.

"“We’ll mix and match,” Reid said of how he’ll blend a combination of starters and reserves in a regular-season finale that will have no bearing on the Chiefs’ No. 5 seed in the upcoming NFL playoffs.“I’m going to work some guys in,” Reid said. “Most of them have already worked in. … I talked to the team, and I will have it figured out by the end of the week exactly how I’m going to work it.”"

The real concern here should be for the playoffs, as Kansas City will undoubtedly need Bowe healthy and ready to go in order to make a run. With concussions being as serious as they are in the NFL today, he’ll have to past tests and be fully cleared by both a team doctor and an unaffiliated independent doctor before he’s able to play next.

It does seem as if Kansas City is playing it safe with Bowe though, which is the smartest way to go about it. There’s no use in rushing him back onto the field, especially with the playoffs looming.

Better be safe than sorry, and in this case, the extra time off should help get Bowe on the field in time for the games that matter.