KC Chiefs vs. LA Chargers Week 18 Injuries and Inactives: Who's In, Who's Out?

Kansas City and Los Angeles have decided which members of their active rosters will play in their regular season finale matchup on Sunday.

In the blink of an eye, the Kansas City Chiefs' 2023-24 regular season is coming to an end. Not before a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, however.

Taking the field for this Week 18 outing, neither side has too much to play for. Kansas City is locked into the three-seed for the AFC playoffs, and its division rival has been realistically out of contention for quite a while. While the Chiefs and Chargers undoubtedly want to beat each other still, there isn't a ton hanging in the balance as the season comes to a close.

Entering Sunday's game, multiple players were ruled out on both sides. No one is taking any unnecessary risks at this stage, especially for Andy Reid's squad. It'll be a backup-heavy game in Week 18 with a focus on the future. 

Ahead of their outing on the road, the Chiefs' list of inactive players has been released. Here's who won't suit up for Kansas City:

• WR Rashee Rice
• QB Patrick Mahomes
• WR Kadarius Toney
• CB L'Jarius Sneed
• DE Mike Danna
• OT Donovan Smith
• TE Travis Kelce

Five of these players — Rice, Mahomes, Toney, Sneed and Smith — were ruled out in advance of Sunday's game. Four of them are nursing noteworthy injuries and while Mahomes was listed on the injury report, this week is simply a rest opportunity for him. Reid announced early in the week that the reigning NFL MVP would be out. Despite some growing optimism surrounding Kelce's status for Week 18, he was a late scratch when he got ruled out on Sunday afternoon.

Chiefs Rule Out Travis Kelce Before Week 18 Game vs. Chargers

Elsewhere for Kansas City, Danna entered the weekend as questionable with a NIR (non-injury related - coaching decision) designation. The team seems to be resting him as well, leaving the door open for young players like Felix Anudike-Uzomah and perhaps even BJ Thompson to make an impact and potentially see extended snaps on Sunday. 

The Chargers' inactives have also been released:

• LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
• WR Keenan Allen
• WR Jalen Guyton
• S JT Woods
• RB Isaiah Spiller
• OG Zion Johnson
• DL Nick Williams

Los Angeles ruled out four players — Allen, Joey Bosa, Justin Hollins and Williams — before Sunday's game. Johnson and Murray were doubtful, with a handful of others remaining questionable. Interim head coach Giff Smith will be shorthanded in the season finale for the Chargers, but he and the team will still look to defend their home turf before looking ahead to the offseason.

Chiefs vs. Chargers: NFL Week 18 Preview and Predictions