Chris Jones will not play for KC Chiefs vs. Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs will take the field on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Chargers without their anchor in the heart of their defensive front with the news that lineman Chris Jones will officially sit out Week 15 due to being on the team’s COVID reserve list.

In the days leading up to the highly anticipated matchup between the AFC West rivals, Jones was officially placed on the list which stirred up confusion about what his availability might be. If vaccinated, both he and Josh Gordon would have been able to return to the active roster in time to play with two negative tests spaced apart by 24 hours.

Gordon, a veteran wide receiver signed earlier this year, is now officially back on the active roster and seems ready to play. As for Jones, however, he remained on the list through Thursday and it was clear he would be among the missing defensive players for the Chiefs against the potent offense of the Chargers.

The Chiefs will be without defensive anchor Chris Jones in Week 15.

Justin Herbert and company have the ability to put up points in a hurry, and the Chiefs were already going to be without their top cornerback in L’Jarius Sneed and their most talented linebacker in Willie Gay Jr. If they lose Jones they lose three of their four most impactful defenders—other than safety Tyrann Mathieu.

As for the Chargers, they’re missing rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater while others are potentially out—designated as questionable—including running back Austin Ekeler, safety Derwin James, and defensive back Asante Samuel Jr.

Jones leads the Chiefs in sacks with 7 and pressures with 29.