As the NFL postseason begins, the Kansas City Chiefs get to enjoy a bye week due to their status as the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
It was a grueling season for the defending back-to-back Super Bowl Champions, who were plagued by the injury bug throughout the schedule. Several Chiefs are heading into the playoffs with an ailment or two, highlighting the importance of having a week off to heal and regroup.
Having a healthy roster is crucial if the Chiefs want to make NFL history with a championship three-peat. Fortunately, head coach Andy Reid has some positive news to share regarding several players to end the week.
According to Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney, Reid confirmed that the following injured players participated in Friday morning’s practice session:
When asked about the quintet’s recovery, Reid added that “they are all doing well,” leaving time to tell if they’ll be healthy enough to join the Chiefs for the Division Round.
Andy Reid confirmed that S Chamarri Conner, DT Chris Jones, RB Isiah Pacheco, RT Jawaan Taylor and CB Jaylen Watson practiced on Friday.
“They are all doing well,” said Reid.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) January 10, 2025
Each of the above players plays a key role for the Chiefs, so it’s great to hear that they’re all making positive progress.
Injuries aren’t anything new for Pacheco, who was limited to seven regular-season appearances due to a fractured leg. Unsurprisingly, the injury has prevented the former 2022 seventh-rounder from looking like his usual self, proven by his tallying only 389 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 95 carries.
Taylor, meanwhile, has been dealing with his lingering knee ailment for nearly a month. The Chiefs would love nothing more than for the former Florida blocker to put his injury woes in the rearview after he played to a 70.8 pass-blocking grade on Pro Football Focus this season.
Jones hopes to play in his first game since Dec. 21 after being sidelined with a calf injury for several weeks. The six-time Pro Bowl DT’s box score numbers might be down this season, however, he still solidified himself as one of the best QB disruptors at his position with a 91.0 pass rush grade — No. 1 among interior defenders.
Chiefs fans have been worrying about Conner since he left Week 18’s loss to the Denver Broncos with a shoulder injury and didn’t return. The ex-Virginia Tech defensive back broke out in 2024 with career-highs in solo tackles (58), defended passes (4), and interceptions (2) while also returning a fumble for a 38-yard touchdown.
Watson, who was designated to return from injured reserve on Jan. 3, hasn’t played since Week 7 because of an ankle injury. He was performing as one of the league’s better ballhawks before going down, proven by the fact that his 74.2 coverage grade is still the 16th-best mark among CBs on PFF.
Assuming that the five banged-up players can heal in time for the Division Round, the Chiefs are on the right path toward a Super Bowl three-peat. Their +370 odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February only trail the Detroit Lions (+320) on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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