Chiefs Injury Report: Key Starters Still Sidelined Ahead of Week 14 Showdown with Texans
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their Week 14 primetime clash against the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football, the team’s second injury report of the week paints a familiar picture - and not necessarily a comforting one for fans hoping for a clean bill of health heading into the season’s final stretch.
Let’s break it down, position by position, and see what this could mean for Sunday night’s matchup at Arrowhead.
Still Watching the Right Side of the Line
Two of the Chiefs’ starting offensive linemen - right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor - remained sidelined for the second straight day. Smith is still dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out of the Thanksgiving game, an issue that dates back to the Week 12 win over the Colts. Taylor, meanwhile, is nursing both a triceps and knee injury suffered in last week's game in Dallas.
The continued absence of both linemen in practice is something to monitor closely. This isn’t just about missing bodies - this is the right side of Patrick Mahomes’ protection, and if neither can go, the Chiefs could be forced to shuffle their offensive line against a Texans pass rush that’s been quietly effective this season.
Roland-Wallace Still Out
Cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace also missed practice for the second day in a row with a back injury. He was hurt in the Colts game and didn’t suit up against the Cowboys either.
With Kansas City’s secondary already navigating some growing pains this season, his status is worth watching. If he’s unavailable again Sunday, the Chiefs could be leaning more heavily on their depth - and against a Texans offense that’s shown flashes of explosiveness, that’s not ideal.
Mahomes, Pacheco Full Participants
On the positive side, Patrick Mahomes (knee) was a full participant for the second straight day. There’s no reason to believe he won’t be ready to go Sunday night, and judging by his recent performances, the knee isn’t holding him back. Same goes for Isiah Pacheco, who’s also listed with a knee issue but practiced fully on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Pacheco’s availability is a big deal. His physical, downhill running style has become a tone-setter for this offense, especially in the colder months. If the Chiefs want to control tempo and keep Houston’s young offense off the field, Pacheco’s role could be front and center.
Other Notables: Gray, Rice, Karlaftis All Full-Go
Noah Gray (concussion/shoulder), Rashee Rice (hamstring), George Karlaftis (thumb), Bryan Cook (ankle), Jaden Hicks (shoulder), and Nikko Remigio (shoulder) all practiced fully for the second straight day. That’s good news across the board, especially for Rice, who’s emerged as a reliable target for Mahomes, and Karlaftis, who’s been a force on the edge.
Josh Simmons Placed on IR
One name you won’t find on the injury report is Josh Simmons, and that’s because he’s no longer on the active roster. The left tackle, who exited last Thursday’s game in Dallas with a wrist injury, underwent surgery and was officially placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday. Per league rules, he’ll be out a minimum of four games, meaning the Chiefs will need to make do without him into the new year.
What It All Means
With Mahomes and Pacheco both full participants, the Chiefs’ offensive engine is intact. But the real concern heading into Sunday night is up front - particularly the right side of the offensive line. If Smith and Taylor can’t go, protecting Mahomes becomes a much taller task, especially against a Texans defense that’s been opportunistic.
And defensively, the absence of Roland-Wallace could test Kansas City’s depth in the secondary. Houston has shown it can move the ball through the air, and the Chiefs will need to be sharp in coverage.
Still, there’s time. Friday’s final injury report will be the one to watch. But as of now, there are some key question marks hanging over this Week 14 matchup - and how the Chiefs answer them could go a long way in determining how Sunday night plays out under the lights at Arrowhead.