Patrick Mahomes isn't the only injury concern for the Kansas City Chiefs, even if all attention in the room is understandably geared in his direction. Several other Chiefs are hurting in the wake of the loss to the L.A. Chargers, and not just emotionally.
Players on both sides of the ball were lost to injury during Week 15, and numerous players were forced to sit out of practice on Wednesday as K.C. began its preparations for Sunday's visit to play the Tennessee Titans.
Here's a look at the players sitting out and what it could mean for Sunday in Nashville.
The Kansas City Chiefs practiced without several starters on both sides of the ball as Week 16 comes into view against the Titans.
Leo Chenal (shoulder)
Should Leo Chenal prove unable to take the field on Sunday against the Titans, Chiefs Kingdom might get their first real glimpse of Jeffrey Bassa this season. Against the Chargers, Steve Spagnuolo leaned on Jack Cochrane to fill in, much to the chagrin of Chiefs fans, but with a week to prepare, K.C. would be much better off showcasing its younger defenders.
Bassa was the Chiefs fifth-round choice, but unlike most of his colleagues in the team's rookie class, Bassa has earned minimal reps on defense. He's played in all 14 games so far, but only on special teams, save for two snaps on defense. With a need to look ahead to 2026, Bassa should get a fair amount of playing time in this instance (but only time will tell if Spags agrees).
Trent McDuffie (knee)
Trent McDuffie looked like a player the Chiefs were trying to get back into the lineup as quickly as possible with a knee hyperextension. Even in Week 14 in which he injured his knee, McDuffie was seen on the sidelines trying to work things out on his own in order to make it back onto the field. McDuffie's absence in Week 15 was a pre-game surprise as well. But to see McDuffie out of practice now isn't all that shocking given that the Chiefs would be best served to play it as safe as possible with the postseason out of sight. Expect Nohl Williams to continue to rack up the playing time in a short-handed secondary.
Jaylon Moore (knee) & Jawaan Taylor (triceps)
Jawaan Taylor has been out with a triceps injury for the last two games, and it feels like the Titans could become number three. Jaylon Moore's knee injury is another ailment that doesn't need a rushed healing process. If wins and losses don't matter, then the only concern should be making sure both players are healthy. The opening at right tackle also gives more reps to Chu Godrick, a former international player pathways signing who has been on the practice squad since 2023 and made his debut last week.
Rashee Rice & Tyquan Thornton (concussion protocol)
Head injuries always prove tricky in terms of predicting a recovery timeline, which is why we wouldn't be shocked to see Rice and/or Thornton out for a few days or a few weeks. If either receiver is out of the lineup, there's room and reason to lean into Jalen Royals, another rookie who has failed to earn any real playing time in 2025. Royals was the Chiefs' fourth-round pick last spring and profiled as a wideout in Rice's mold. It could be interesting to see what he can bring to the table in the final few games of the year, knowing he has three seasons left of team control.