The Kansas City Chiefs are missing a ton of players coming into Week 16, which is to be expected after watching the team suffer so many injuries a week ago. In their season-wrecking loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15, the Chiefs not only watched Patrick Mahomes tear his ACL, but several other players were taken to the locker room, treated in the blue tent, or sought other aid on the sidelines.
The Chiefs' final injury report released on Friday and nine players were listed as "out" for the upcoming game against the Tennessee Titans. Two of those are coming back from IR—defensive back Nazeeh Johnson and tight end Jake Briningstool—and aren't even on the active roster, so their inclusion here is a bit weird since neither was expected to play. Still seven guys out is a lot in addition to those players playing through pain (or already on injured reserve).
Here's a look at the players who are out for Sunday and what it means for others at the position.
The Chiefs are going to be very short-handed as they visit Nashville for a game against the Titans.
Leo Chenal, LB
With Leo Chenal out of the lineup, it would be ideal if the Chiefs would give Jeffrey Bassa some reps on Sunday, but when pressed earlier this week, Steve Spagnuolo didn't really seem to emphasize that as an option. Jack Cochrane might see more playing time in this instance with some shifting in the unit, but Chiefs fans can only hope Cooper McDonald or Bassa gets some playing time.
Trent McDuffie, CB
With Trent McDuffie out, the Chiefs will lean on the obvious suspects as they did last week. Jaylen Watson continues to have a banner contract year. Nohl Williams gets more late-season reps as a rookie, which will be vital going into next season. Kevin Knowles is getting much longer looks in the slot. Kristian Fulton is likely to be active as well. Expect no surprises here.
Jaylon Moore / Jawaan Taylor, OT
The Chiefs rolled with Esa Pole and Chu Godrick as their tackles without their top four last Sunday, and there's every reason to expect the pair to start again. For Pole, it will be his second NFL start while Godrick will make his first. Certainly not what anyone could have predicted.
Rashee Rice / Tyquan Thornton, WR
With both Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton out with concussions, the Chiefs wide receiver corps is open for a younger player to emerge. Let's not forget Xavier Worthy has also battled multiple injuries since Week 1. However, Hollywood Brown is back in the fold after missing a game for personal reasons. JuJu Smith-Schuster will also do some of the lifting. Jalen Royals can only hope to hear his number called in such a desperate situation, but the team has largely called this a redshirt year for him.
Derrick Nnadi, DT
The Zacch Pickens Hour has finally arrived. Chris Jones has been limited by a hamstring injury. Derrick Nnadi is officially out. There's no reason for the Chiefs to feature more of Mike Pennel and Jerry Tillery in a lost season when Pickens is there to at least provide rotational reps. No one should expect a difference-maker of any kind, but if Pickens can give the Chiefs what some of the aging vets are now, that's one less item to worry about this offseason.