Chiefs Dealing with Key Injuries Ahead of Matchup with Texans
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to host the Houston Texans this Sunday at Arrowhead, they’re staring down a growing list of injuries that could impact both sides of the ball-especially in the trenches.
The team already placed rookie offensive lineman Josh Simmons on injured reserve earlier this week, and now they’re bracing for the possibility of being without two more starters on the offensive line. Trey Smith (ankle) and Jawaan Taylor (triceps/knee) are both listed as doubtful after missing the entire week of practice. And while Andy Reid is holding out a sliver of hope, he acknowledged it’s probably a long shot for either to suit up.
“I think it’ll be a stretch for them to get there,” Reid said Friday. “If the other guys play, they play. We have trust in everybody there.”
That next-man-up mentality will be tested. If Smith and Taylor can’t go, the Chiefs are expected to turn to Jaylon Moore and Wanya Morris to step in.
It’s a big ask, especially against a Texans front that’s shown flashes of disruption this season. But Reid emphasized that the coaching staff has confidence in the depth they’ve built.
Smith, according to Reid, is slightly ahead of Taylor in his recovery, but neither has logged a practice rep this week. That’s usually a telling sign this late in the week, especially in December when the margin for error tightens with every game.
The offensive line isn’t the only area taking hits. Cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace will miss Sunday’s game with a back injury, and wide receiver Nikko Remigio is also out due to a shoulder issue. That leaves the Chiefs thinner in the secondary and at receiver-two spots where depth and rotation have been crucial throughout the season.
To help fill the gaps, Kansas City elevated offensive lineman Esa Pole to the active roster. The rookie has impressed coaches with his quick grasp of the playbook and ability to adapt on the fly.
“I thought he did a good job,” Reid said. “He’s a smart kid, so he was able to pick it up fast and get some reps in there. We’re kind of moving people around a bit, so he jumped in and did some good stuff there.”
Pole’s promotion underscores just how much shuffling the Chiefs are doing up front. With Simmons on IR and both Smith and Taylor trending toward inactive status, Kansas City is leaning heavily on its depth-and hoping the guys stepping in can hold the line for Patrick Mahomes and the offense.
Injuries are part of the grind this time of year, but for a team with postseason aspirations, how the Chiefs navigate this stretch could have a ripple effect deep into January. Sunday’s matchup with the Texans won’t just be about the scoreboard-it’ll be a test of Kansas City’s resilience, depth, and ability to adjust on the fly.