Darrel Williams injury update: Chiefs running back likely to miss Patriots game

The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to be without running back Darrel Williams as they head into New England to face the Patriots in Week 14.

The Kansas City Chiefs were already dealing with a number of injuries or concerns at running back coming out of the bye week. After just one game, you can add Darrel Williams to the list of those ailing on the depth chart.

During the team’s 40-9 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, the Chiefs lost Williams to a hamstring injury on a play in which no contact was made. Williams suddenly went down while starting to run with the ball and was quickly taken off the field to receive medical attention thereafter.

“Darrel’s injury looked like he had a hamstring and that didn’t look very good, so there’s probably a pretty good chance that he doesn’t play,” said Reid to reporters after the game.

Darrel Williams now joins Damien Williams, who already sat out the Raiders game with a rib injury, as injured backs for the team. Both players are expected to return before the end of the season in four weeks, so for now the Chiefs will just have to roll with a loss of inactive spots on the roster as both players heal.

In addition to the loss of both Damien and Darrel Williams, the Chiefs have been focused on keeping LeSean McCoy‘s load manageable, which means that they’re unlikely to want him to become the bell cow before the postseason.

Darwin Thompson received 11 carries on the final drive of the game against the Raiders, a startling amount for a player who came in with 5 carries on the entire year, and now appears to be ready for plenty more against New England.

The Chiefs also have Elijah McGuire on the practice squad and Anthony Sherman at fullback if further backs are necessary.