The Chiefs began a short week with plenty of important player updates.
The Kansas City Chiefs rolled into a short week of practice and updates as the Houston Texans prepare to visit on a rare Saturday game in Week 16 for the sake of the NFL's broadcast partners—money over health alert!
With the short week comes changes in the way that the team will handle injured players and head coach Andy Reid had updates for the media in that vein on Tuesday as the team took to the podium for interviews.
Here's all the latest from Andy Reid.
Patrick Mahomes' ankle
The Chiefs are going to allow Patrick Mahomes to test his ankle injury early in the week to see how he's feeling, and it feels safe to assume that will be the posture of the team going forward.
Patrick Mahomes said this injury has responded “better quicker” than the high ankle sprain he had in the playoffs vs. Jacksonville two years ago.
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) December 17, 2024
Mahomes injured his ankle during Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 when Dalvin Tomlinson and others defenders fell on him awkwardly from multiple directions in the fourth quarter. From that point forward, Mahomes was seen limping toward the sideline and the Chiefs responded by inserting Carson Wentz for the duration of the game.
Following the game, the Chiefs made it clear that Mahomes did not break any bones and suffered a mild high-ankle sprain. Tests confirmed the news and now the Chiefs will wait and see with Mahomes on a "day to day" or "week to week" timeline, which means this will be a talking point all week long.
Carson Wentz's readiness
Andy Reid made it clear to the media on Tuesday that Mahomes was "going to go through some stuff" and that Wentz would be there to pick up the opportunities with the first-team offense in practice if Mahomes was unable to go. This is where the team is going to have to trust their star quarterback to tell the truth, to put the team first over his own competitive desires.
On Sunday, Wentz came in and completed both of his passes in a short sample of an appearance. However, there's no denying the Chiefs imported Wentz to be the best backup they've ever had since Mahomes took over the starter's role in 2018. That's why they should feel a bit more confident than in previous seasons in their ability to win if Mahomes has to sit.
It still sounds like the call belongs to Mahomes but Wentz should give Andy Reid some pause before pushing Mahomes to play six days after his injury.
D.J. Humphries' hamstring
Humphries is set to miss his fourth consecutive practice session with the Chiefs on Tuesday. This comes after having missed every practice leading into Week 15, from Wednesday to Friday before being declared out on Saturday before Sunday's win in Cleveland.
Humphries landed with the Chiefs a few weeks ago as a hopeful veteran answer to the team's issues at left tackle, but a hamstring injury surfaced in the fourth quarter of the team's Week 14 game against the Chargers. Humphries has been sitting ever since.
It feels safe to assume the Chiefs will go with Joe Thuney outside at left tackle once again with Mike Caliendo inserted into the starting lineup if Humphries cannot go. That's what the Chiefs did last week and it might be what they need to do to avoid putting Kingsley Suamataia or Wanya Morris back in the lineup this season.
Chamarri Conner's head injury
Chamarri Conner took a big hit to the head last Sunday against the Browns when Nick Chubb's knee made contact during tackle. Conner needed time to get up before being taken to the team's locker room.
Conner is now in the team's concussion protocol which means no one is quite sure when he will be able to return to the field. The results on a concussion can be quite subjective, so it's a complete mystery as to whether or not the Chiefs will get Conner back.
Without Conner, the Chiefs will likely lean on Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams more on the boundary while asking Christian Roland-Wallace to take more reps. Trent McDuffie could be inside full-time in Conner's old spot while everyone shifts. Then again, Steve Spagnuolo loves to move around guys as much as possible so maybe he wants to experiment in other ways.
Hollywood Brown update
The Chiefs also made it clear that Hollywood Brown was back in practice for another week and that he's looking good. Andy Reid confirmed that Brown could play as soon as Saturday to help provide the offense—led by Mahomes or Wentz—with a new veteran target.