Sammy Watkins misses practice for the second day in a row

After not practicing on Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins was once again a nonparticipant on Thursday as well.

After not practicing on Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins was once again a nonparticipant for Thursday’s practice. Watkins had been dealing with a foot injury, one that kept him out of the Chiefs’ game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 10, and again the culprit for his limited snaps against the Los Angeles Rams the following Monday.

Watkins’ presence is felt whether he’s catching the ball or helping set his fellow receivers up for big plays—a well-rounded player who is very dangerous with the ball. Unfortunately, Watkins foot injury has lingered longer than anyone initially expected. While the Chiefs should have no problem winning in Oakland without him, not having him there is definitely a hindrance to the offense. It’s also concerning over the long haul.

Watkins was the only reported nonparticipant in today’s practice. As for the rest, Chiefs inside linebacker Anthony Hitchens was a full participant in practice yesterday and is practicing for the team in full capacity today as well. This week’s practice saw the return of Chiefs star safety Eric Berry and starting center Mitch Morse as well. Morse was a full participant in yesterday’s practice, and his status did not change for Thursday’s practice. It appears the team is working on easing him back into the game, allowing him to get himself ready. It’s been a while since he suited up (in a relative sense), having missed the past five games due to his concussion injury.

Getting all of its defensive and offensive players back would definitely be huge for the Chiefs. With the possibility of starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif returning from IR later this season, the Chiefs should have a smooth ride into the playoffs. The defense was essentially built around having great safeties and a solidified pass rush. The two different position groups compliment each other and almost seem subpar if the core is broken for either group.

With Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston missing time alongside fellow OLB Dee Ford, and safeties Berry and Daniel Sorensen missing most of the season so far, the defense hasn’t come together as hoped. That may all change, however. For the first time since Week 1 of last year, the Chiefs will have Houston and Berry playing together along with Sorensen and Ford. Whether or not we will see this combination in Week 13 is yet to be seen, as Berry may sit out another week to ensure he’s 100 percent ready.