Chiefs Hit Hard by Injuries Ahead of Christmas Night Matchup Against Broncos
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their Christmas night showdown with the Denver Broncos, the injury report reads more like a triage list than a game-day roster. A wave of injuries and illnesses has left the reigning AFC contenders scrambling to patch together a lineup, with key players on both sides of the ball sidelined or questionable heading into Thursday night.
Let’s start with the latest injury report. Linebacker Nick Bolton, defensive end George Karlaftis, and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi are all dealing with illnesses and are officially listed as questionable.
Joining them are wide receiver Nikko Remigio and cornerback Jaylon Moore, both nursing knee injuries. All five are game-time decisions.
Tight end Jake Briningstool, however, won’t be suiting up. He’s been ruled out with a hamstring injury - a tough break for a player who’s been showing promise in limited reps.
But the biggest blow comes from the injured reserve list. The Chiefs placed four key contributors on IR this week: cornerbacks Trent McDuffie (knee) and Jaylen Watson (groin), and wide receivers Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton, both dealing with concussions. That’s a significant chunk of the secondary and receiving corps gone in one swoop.
McDuffie, in particular, has been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s defense all season. His absence leaves a noticeable void in the secondary, especially against a Broncos offense that’s been finding its rhythm.
Rice, meanwhile, had emerged as one of the Chiefs’ most reliable targets before the concussion. Losing both him and Thornton in the same week severely limits Kansas City’s vertical threat.
To help fill the gaps, the Chiefs elevated defensive end Ethan Downs, cornerback Melvin Smith, and tight end Tyreke Smith from the practice squad. All three have been signed to active roster contracts, and they’ll likely be thrown into the fire right away. In addition, cornerback Nazeeh Johnson was activated from injured reserve, offering some much-needed reinforcements in the defensive backfield.
The injury situation was already dire last Sunday, when the Chiefs faced the Titans without McDuffie, Moore, Nnadi, Rice, and Thornton. That game also brought more bad news: backup quarterback Gardner Minshew, filling in for the injured Patrick Mahomes, suffered a knee injury mid-game. That forced third-string QB Chris Oladokun into action - a tough spot for any young quarterback, especially in a playoff race.
Mahomes, of course, remains out after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, an injury he sustained back on December 14 against the Chargers. The procedure was successful, and the expectation is that he’ll be ready to return by the start of the 2026 NFL season on September 10. But for now, the Chiefs are operating without their franchise quarterback - and now, without their backup as well.
It’s a brutal stretch for Kansas City, a team that’s used to peaking in December. With the playoffs looming and the roster in flux, Thursday’s game against Denver becomes more than just a holiday primetime matchup - it’s a test of depth, resilience, and coaching adaptability.
The Chiefs have been here before, leaning on their system and culture to weather storms. But this one?
It’s a Category 5. And how they respond could shape the rest of their season.