![\"Chiefs'](\"https:\/\/sportsaldente.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Patrick-Mahomes-throws-in-the-1st-half.webp\")
This could lead to Carson Wentz starting his first game of the season in a matchup that is important for the Broncos. If they win, they will join the Chiefs and Chargers as playoff teams from the AFC West.<\/p>\n
Reid shared his thoughts on the competitiveness of the AFC West: \u201cI think it\u2019s great. I mean, the level of this division is, I think, incredible. We\u2019ve got really all four teams playing hard and aggressive football, and good, solid football.<\/p>\n
I know the Raiders are not in; I get that. But I know the other two are as deserving as anybody to be in the playoffs. It\u2019s good to see that. I think that this is all about competition. We\u2019re in it for the competition. And both Denver and the Chargers, they are both really good football teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
In other injury news, Reid said former Pro Bowl left tackle D.J. Humphries is improving in his recovery from a hamstring injury. Humphries, who had torn his ACL before joining the Chiefs, signed with the team after they struggled to protect Mahomes\u2019 blind side.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs have managed with All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney moving to tackle and Mike Caliendo stepping in at guard, but they\u2019d prefer to have Thuney back in his original position for the playoffs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to get (Humphries) out to practice and see where he\u2019s at,\u201d Reid said. \u201cHe is doing good in his rehab part. That\u2019s different than being on the field. I\u2019d like to see how he does there.\u201d<\/p>\n Reid also mentioned that wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury, could return for the playoffs, and there\u2019s a small chance cornerback Jaylen Watson will be able to return from his ankle injury.<\/p>\n Broncos coach Sean Payton is not concerned about who may sit out for the Chiefs on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to approach it like you\u2019re seeing starters at these positions,\u201d Payton said. \u201cNFL rosters are \u2014 it\u2019s not like you have a college roster. I\u2019ve been in this position before on the other side of it. I think you\u2019re looking at the scheme relative to the game plan, and then planning on seeing the player that you\u2019re watching on film. If someone else is in that spot, so be it.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the game has no importance for the Chiefs, Reid made it clear that his team will not be looking past the Broncos.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be a time when we look at the other group. We\u2019ll have time to do that,\u201d Reid said. \u201cBut right now we\u2019re preparing for Denver, so we\u2019ll hit all that other stuff later here, on another day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chiefs coach Andy Reid plans to give running back Isiah Pacheco most of the week off to rest his sore ribs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":22575,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Chiefs'](\"https:\/\/sportsaldente.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Andy-Reid-speaks-in-the-news-conference.webp\")