As the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their Thursday night matchup, both teams released their Tuesday injury reports-and there’s not a whole lot of movement from Monday’s estimates. But while the reports might look quiet on the surface, there are a few key names worth watching as we inch closer to kickoff.
Denver Broncos: Status Quo, But Questions Remain
For the Broncos, Tuesday’s injury report mirrors Monday’s estimated participation. Since Monday was just a walkthrough, these designations were projections, but now we’re starting to get a clearer picture of who might actually suit up.
The good news? Four players-cornerback Riley Moss (ankle), guard Ben Powers (biceps), inside linebacker Karene Reid (hamstring), and fellow ILB Justin Strnad (foot)-were full participants for the second straight day. That’s encouraging for a defense that’s been quietly improving and a line that needs all the continuity it can get as the season winds down.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Tight end Nate Adkins (knee), wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), and center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder) all remained sidelined.
While nothing’s official yet, two straight DNPs usually isn’t a great sign for Thursday availability. Wattenberg’s status is especially notable-he’s been a key depth piece, and with a short week, the Broncos will need to make a call soon on how they manage the interior of that offensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs: Mostly Healthy, But WR Room Takes a Hit
On the Kansas City side, the Tuesday report brought just one change from Monday’s estimates. Most of the roster is trending in the right direction, which is exactly what you want heading into a prime-time divisional game.
A handful of players-tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring), safety Mike Edwards (shoulder), cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee/wrist), tight end Noah Gray (shoulder), cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (shoulder), tackle Esa Pole (knee), and guard Trey Smith (ankle)-were all full participants again. Jaylon Moore (knee) upgraded from limited to full, another positive development for a banged-up offensive line that’s been holding its own.
However, there are a few red flags in the wide receiver room. Rashee Rice, Tyquan Thornton, and Nikko Remigio all missed practice Tuesday-Rice and Thornton due to concussions, Remigio with a knee issue.
That’s not ideal for a team still trying to find rhythm in the passing game. Rice, in particular, has emerged as a key target, and his absence would be felt if he can't clear protocol in time.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie (knee) and Jaylen Watson (groin) also remained out, which could impact a secondary that’s been one of the more consistent units on this Chiefs squad. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (illness) stayed limited for a second straight day.
What It All Means
Both teams are dealing with the usual late-season wear and tear, but the Chiefs appear to be in slightly better shape overall-especially when it comes to their offensive and defensive lines. For Denver, the big question is whether they can patch together enough healthy bodies to protect their quarterback and slow down Kansas City’s attack.
As always with a Thursday night game, the short turnaround makes recovery a challenge. Final designations will come soon, but for now, the Broncos have more question marks than answers, while the Chiefs-though not without issues-seem to be managing their injuries with a bit more stability.
We’ll keep a close eye on the final injury reports, but as it stands, depth and next-man-up mentality could be the difference in this AFC West clash.