The Chiefs will head into Sunday’s matchup against the Titans with a banged-up roster and some serious depth concerns on both sides of the ball. The injury report reads more like a who's who of key contributors, and Kansas City will need to dig deep to stay sharp in Nashville.
Let’s start with the receiving corps. Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton have both been ruled out due to concussions, after missing the entire week of practice.
That’s a significant blow to the Chiefs' passing game, especially with Rice emerging as a reliable target in recent weeks. His absence puts more pressure on the remaining wideouts to step up-something that’s been a recurring theme this season for a group still searching for consistency.
On the defensive side, the secondary takes a hit with top cornerback Trent McDuffie sidelined again, this time due to a knee injury. McDuffie was limited on Thursday but didn’t practice Wednesday or Friday, and the Chiefs aren’t taking any chances with their standout corner. His absence leaves a noticeable hole in the back end of the defense, especially against a Titans offense that’s shown flashes of explosiveness.
The list doesn’t stop there. Linebacker Leo Chenal (shoulder), offensive tackles Jaylon Moore (knee) and Jawaan Taylor (elbow), tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring), cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (shoulder), and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (illness) have all been ruled out as well.
That’s a lot of talent on the shelf, and it puts the Chiefs in a tough spot heading into a key late-season matchup. Expect some roster shuffling on Saturday as Kansas City looks to patch together enough depth to weather the storm. Whether it's practice squad elevations or gameday activations, the coaching staff will have to get creative.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in Nashville, and with so many key players out, all eyes will be on how Kansas City adjusts. This is the kind of game where depth, coaching, and resilience take center stage.