The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers shorthanded, and one of the biggest names on the injury report is not going to be available.
Kansas City will be without left tackle Josh Simmons and receiver Rashee Rice, according to a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Simmons’ absence stands out because he returned to practice on a limited basis this week, but the Chiefs have also had a rookie tackle stepping in and playing well in his place.
Rice’s situation has been unsettled for a while. He had a cleanup surgery that kept him out for much of training camp, and he has also been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Even so, he has not missed a game. Through the season so far, Rice has 13 catches for 190 yards and a touchdown.
His absence only adds to the questions around Kansas City’s receiver room. The Chiefs already lost speedster Tyquan Thornton to a serious ankle injury in their last game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 before their bye week.
The Chargers, on the other hand, are set to get a boost at receiver. Per a separate report from Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston are both off the injury report and will play in Kansas City.
McConkey has 12 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown in four games this season, while Johnston has seven catches for 108 yards in four games. Their return should give the Chargers passing game more life than it has had lately.
Los Angeles still has plenty of injury concerns, though. The team has ruled out safety Derwin James, offensive tackle Joe Alt, guard Kayode Awosika, receiver Tre Harris, and cornerback Donte Jackson, per Simmons. Cornerback Rodney Shelley is doubtful after not practicing over the last two days.
The questionable list is long as well. Defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, linebacker Daiyan Henley, receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith, receiver Brenen Thompson, and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson all carry that designation.
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Media analyst Mike Florio recently floated a path that would keep Kelce in the national spotlight, pointing to the kind of media presence that could make him attractive to multiple networks. Nothing has been announced, of course, but the speculation alone hints at how much demand there could be if Kelce ever decides to make the leap, and how quickly the conversation around his future could turn into a high-stakes competition. [Read more 🡒]