The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into their Christmas Day showdown against the Denver Broncos without one of their most important defensive playmakers. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, a cornerstone of Steve Spagnuolo’s secondary, won’t be suiting up - and that absence is going to be felt.
McDuffie has been battling a knee injury that kept him off the practice field all week. On December 24, the Chiefs made it official, placing him on injured reserve. That move ends his season, removing a key piece from a defense that’s been one of the league’s best in 2025.
Let’s be clear: McDuffie isn’t just another name on the depth chart. He’s been a tone-setter in the Chiefs’ secondary - a versatile defensive back who can line up inside or outside, cover top receivers, and contribute in the run game.
His ability to diagnose plays and close quickly has helped Kansas City lock down passing attacks all season. Losing that kind of presence, especially this late in the year, changes the complexion of the defense.
With McDuffie out, the Chiefs will turn to a mix of young talent and experienced depth. Nohl Williams and Josh Williams are expected to see increased snaps, while Kevin Knowles and Kristian Fulton will also rotate in. Spagnuolo is known for his creativity and adaptability, but this is a big test for a unit that’s leaned heavily on McDuffie’s consistency and versatility.
The timing couldn’t be tougher. Kansas City is coming off a short week and a tough loss to the Titans in Week 16.
Now, they’ll face a divisional opponent on a national stage without one of their defensive leaders. The Broncos may look to exploit that, especially with McDuffie’s absence opening up potential mismatches in the secondary.
For a team with championship aspirations, this is where depth and coaching get put under the microscope. The Chiefs have navigated adversity before, but losing McDuffie for the rest of the season is a significant blow. How they adjust - and how quickly the next men up can rise to the occasion - could shape the narrative of Kansas City’s playoff push.