KC Chiefs avoid any new COVID cases on Wednesday

For the first time in a few days, the Kansas City Chiefs are reporting zero new COVID cases—a sign that things could be turning around at mid-week for a team beset by over a dozen players on the reserve list right now due to positive tests for the coronavirus.

The Chiefs should be steeped in practice and prep for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. Instead, they’ve found themselves battling the spread of COVID through myriad players on both sides of the ball and even special teams. There’s hardly a single position on the team not affected by the current spread and it’s possible the league will even postpone the game, currently scheduled for late Sunday afternoon.

Coming off of a Thursday night victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, the Chiefs had a mini-bye before reporting back to Arrowhead for their upcoming game against the Steelers. However, word leaked in over the weekend that some players were testing positive for COVID. That number has since climbed in recent days to 16 total.

For the first time in days, the Chiefs have no new COVID cases.

The COVID spread actually began before the Chargers game when wideout Josh Gordon, defensive lineman Chris Jones, and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. were all forced to sit out in Week 15 due to testing positive. From there the reserve list has grown to the present total of 13 active roster players and 3 from the practice squad.

From kicker Harrison Butker to offensive stars like Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill to cornerback Charvarius Ward and linebacker Nick Bolton, the list has grown to include several of the Chiefs most impactful performers. Meanwhile, Gay and others who have already sat out a week remain on the reserve list even after missing a game.

There are likely more details to come from the NFL on this game, but for now, it’s nice to see the bleeding might have stopped.