Josh Simmons may be the lone Chiefs player in real danger of sitting out Sunday’s matchup with the Raiders, and that says plenty about where Kansas City stands heading into Week 4.
While Las Vegas is already managing a growing injury list, the Chiefs appear to be in excellent shape for the trip to Allegiant Stadium. Kansas City’s first injury report of the week featured just one non-participant: Simmons, who has not taken part since the middle of the preseason. Even so, the Chiefs are 3-0 without him, so his absence wouldn’t exactly flip the matchup.
The rest of Kansas City’s report is about as clean as it gets. Veteran cornerback L’Jarius Sneed was the only player listed as limited while dealing with a knee issue.
Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Rashee Rice, Chamarri Conner and Felix Anudike-Uzomah all showed up on the report, but each was a full participant on Wednesday. The Chiefs also don’t have any major contributors parked on injured reserve.
That leaves Kansas City looking, as the source described it, “OTAs-like healthy.”
The Raiders, meanwhile, are working through more problems. They’ve already spent time without Brock Bowers because of a knee injury, while starting cornerback Darien Porter and starting free safety Treydan Stukes have each missed a game. Jack Bech is now out with a fractured forearm, and Jackson Powers-Johnson is dealing with a groin injury.
Powers-Johnson’s situation is especially notable because he is the team’s starting right guard, and his absence would come with Chris Jones looming on the other side. Aidan O’Connell remains out of practice as he grieves his father, and though he is listed as a third-string quarterback, the article notes that he remains an important part of the team and has beaten the Chiefs before.
Ashton Jeanty was listed as a full participant, but the picture on the field tells a different story. Over the last two weeks, he has looked less explosive and less decisive than he did in Week 1, with visible signs of wear, including limping off the field and extra ankle tape on both sides. The article makes clear that he does not appear to be “full,” despite the designation.
Las Vegas also has Dont’e Thornton Jr. and rookie third-round pick Keyron Crawford on injured reserve, adding to the list of unavailable pieces as the AFC West showdown approaches.
Klint Kubiak put it plainly earlier in the week: "In the NFL, you're never 100%. All of our guys are sore; all of our guys are tired, coaches included."
But on this particular week, the gap in health appears to favor Kansas City. The Chiefs are walking into Sunday with far fewer concerns, while the Raiders are trying to piece together enough availability to keep pace in a game that could mean a lot for Las Vegas at home.
In Other News...
Raiders Need More From Their New Receiver Than Hidden Contributions
Jalen Nailor arrived in Las Vegas with the kind of deal that suggested a real role was coming, but the first three games have mostly featured the quieter parts of his game. He has only five catches for 52 yards on 11 targets, yet the Raiders have still found reasons to keep him involved because of the work he does away from the ball, especially as a blocker and as a piece that can help open space for others.
For a team looking for more reliability in the passing game, those hidden contributions are useful, but they can only carry a receiver so far. The bigger question now is whether Nailors role starts to grow as the season unfolds, with game planning and his own production likely deciding how much more of the offense comes his way. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Face A Familiar Threat In AFC West Test
The Raiders head into Week 4 facing the kind of AFC West test that can expose every crack in a defense, and the biggest concern is Kansas Citys ground game. Las Vegas has had trouble stopping the run, and the Chiefs have built a rushing attack that can tilt a game early if it is not checked at the line of scrimmage. For a Raiders team trying to settle in under Klint Kubiak, that makes this matchup about more than divisional bragging rights.
Kenneth Walker III only sharpens the challenge. The former Raider is now part of a Chiefs offense that already has a clear identity on the ground, and his familiarity gives this game an extra layer of intrigue for Las Vegas. The Raiders know what is coming, but knowing and stopping it are different things, especially in a division game where one sustained run drive can change the feel of the afternoon. [Read more 🡒]
Raiders Receiver Shuffle Puts Unexpected Spotlight On Cody White
The Raiders receiver room took another hit this week when Jack Bech was placed on injured reserve with a broken forearm, prompting a quick reshuffle on the depth chart. Las Vegas answered by signing Cody White to the active roster, waiving Justin Shorter and bringing Phillip Dorsett II onto the practice squad as it tries to keep the position group stocked and stable.
White now gets a bigger stage after making the most of his chances in limited work, especially in the red zone. He has turned all three of his catches into touchdowns this season, and with Bech sidelined the Raiders suddenly have a little more reason to see whether that efficiency can translate into a larger role. [Read more 🡒]