The Kansas City Chiefs host their second straight primetime game, this time on Sunday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs are 1-0 after beating the Denver Broncos last week, while the Colts fell to the Baltimore Ravens in a lopsided blowout.
Even with things trending positively for the Chiefs and not so positively for the Colts, there's one clear advantage Indy has heading into this game. They're healthy.
The impact of the Chiefs injury report
Per this week's injury report, the Chiefs have two players for sure ruled out, and they're big names. Josh Simmons and Chamarri Conner will miss their second straight game. Also, Chris Jones and rookie first-round pick Mansoor Delane are listed as questionable.
Simmons has been dealing with a back injury since mid-August, while Conner has dealt with a knee injury for even longer. Both players missed Week 1 and it will be interesting to see how soon they suit up since the team has ignored injured reserve as a possibility for both. Rookie Kahlil Benson should get the start for Simmons once again. Jaden Hicks and Alohi Gilman played 100 percent of snaps as the starting safeties a week ago.
As for Jones, he is dealing with a calf injury and missed practice, but that's not uncommon for the Chiefs' handling of the veteran's load management. It's also important to note that Jones played just over 50 percent of snaps a week ago, aided by a deeper defensive line overall. First-round rookie Peter Woods gained some valuable experience and could step in again at a larger level.
Delane fell awkwardly on his shoulder after picking off Bo Nix in his third-ever snap as a Chief, leading to questions about a reaggravation of a preseason injury that kept him out of most of training camp. However, Delane was quick to return to practice as a full participant and should be ready to go, which is good news since the Chiefs envision him as a real long-term difference-maker in the secondary.
Indianapolis is looking healthier
Meanwhile, Indianapolis has just one player who is ruled out versus the Chiefs: wide receiver Ashton Dulin. Dulin is a potential deep threat in the passing game who would play a bigger role if Alec Pierce was out. In this game, Dulin's absence is a minor blip for Shane Steichen's offense. The only other pre-game injury designation belongs to running back D.J. Giddens, who is questionable to play with a knee injury. Expect rookie Seth McGowan to get any reps that Jonathan Taylor leaves available.
Speaking of Pierce, the Colts wideout continues to make his way back from offseason ankle surgery, but he was productive in Week 1 and should feel better with a game under his belt. Pierce missed Thursday's practice but that was likely precautionary as he was a full participant on both Wednesday and Friday. The Chiefs should treat Pierce as a primary focus in the passing game, no matter what the injury report says.
That same bonus of kicking off some Week 1 rust should also apply to Daniel Jones as he returns from a season-ending Achilles injury, suffered in early December. Jones and Chiefs quarterback were on similar journeys throughout the postseason as they attempted to return in time to play in Week 1. It will be interesting to see how much Steve Spagnuolo tries to blitz Jones in just his second game back.
This is a big game for the Chiefs because they have a chance to move to 2-0 with a date against the rebuilding Dolphins next week. Obviously you gotta play the games but that feels like as easy as a win as a team can get even this early in the season. To start 3-0 would make it incredibly difficult for the rest of the AFC West to keep up with or catch the Chiefs down the stretch.
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