As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for the Seattle Seahawks, a few key players remain sidelined in practice including Mitchell Schwartz.
As the Kansas City Chiefs get down to business in their preparation to travel to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, a few players are missing from practice on Wednesday. Cornerback Kendall Fuller, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins will all sit out of practice as they deal with various injuries and issues.
Watkins is not a surprise among those players missing practice as the wideout has missed several games now with a nagging foot injury. At this point, the Chiefs’ best approach is to make sure he’s ready for the postseason since they’ve already punched their playoff ticket.
Fuller is also expected to miss practice time as he deals with a fractured wrist that’s healing from surgery less than a week ago. Despite the injury and procedure, Fuller could potentially play through and not miss any time at all, per head coach Andy Reid.
As for Schwartz, his inclusion among the missing is a surprise on the list. Schwartz is an ironman who currently leads all NFL players in consecutive snaps played. Even in Week 17 last season, a meaningless game for the Chiefs, Schwartz was allowed to start and play as if he had something on the line. It would be a serious shock if Schwartz missed any game time, and no reason was given for his absence, as of press time.
Fortunately for the Chiefs, both Cameron Erving, the team’s starting left guard, and running back Spencer Ware are back at practice in at least a limited capacity. Ware is working with a hamstring issue and shoulder injury while Erving is dealing with a left knee issue.
The Chiefs face the Seahawks on Sunday in a game that could determine the AFC West champion (if they win) and a first-round bye in the playoffs. The other determinant will be the winner of the Baltimore Ravens versus Los Angeles Chargers game on Sunday.