One of the most anticipated games on the NFL's regular-season schedule for 2024 is nearly upon us with the rematch of Super Bowl LVIII between the visiting Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
As both rosters settle into their respective locker rooms, a major question for both teams is about their inactive lists and who exactly will end up being able to play in the game.
For both the Chiefs and 49ers, it's been a tough season so far with multiple injuries affecting their ability to play their best football. So far, the Chiefs have been able to overcome those hurdles with one close victory after another, Meanwhile the Niners find themselves unexpectedly at .500 with a showdown against the Chiefs looming at Levi's Stadium.
Let's look at the players on both inactive lists for the Chiefs and 49ers as they prepare to face each other in Week 7.
The injury designations of a few players made some things clear coming into Week 7 as to who would be on the inactive lists for both teams. For the Chiefs, defensive end Mike Danna is dealing with a pectoral muscle injury which kept him out of practice all week. Seeing him declared out on Friday was widely expected given the lack of availability throughout the week.
A key player to watch for the Chiefs is wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who missed practice this week in part with a hamstring issue that flared up on Thursday. He was listed as "questionable" coming into the game, but head coach Andy Reid stated it was precautionary in case the issue returned. He should be good to go, but if an issue arises once again, the Chiefs could be without another major receiver.
As for the 49ers, wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been declared out coming into Sunday's game against the Chiefs. He had a hip injury that kept him from practing this week. The same can be said for multiple kickers—yes, kickers—Jake Moody and Matthew Wright. The loss of both means that the NIners will roll with Anders Carlson off of the practice squad.
In addition to those players, first-round rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is set to make his debut if the team is ready for him to do so, but he's listed as questionable. So is cornerback Darrell Luter, Jr.
Here's the official list of inactive players for the 49ers
- Jauan Jennings, WR
- Jake Moody, K
- Josh Dobbs, QB
- Jalen Graham, LB
- Ben Bartch, OL
- Darrell Luter Jr., CB
- Brayden Willis, TE
Here's the official list of inactive players for the Chiefs
- Michael Danna, DE
- C.J. Hanson, OL
- Ethan Driskell, OL
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
- Marlon Tuipulotu, DL