Five KC Chiefs Missing Wednesday Practice Ahead of AFC Championship Game

Running back Isiah Pacheco and four other players aren't expected to work for the Chiefs to kick off the week of practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs are just days away from kicking off against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, with both teams hard at work preparing.

Following a Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills and some rest, Andy Reid's team is back at practice on Wednesday. Reid spoke to the media on Wednesday, setting the tone for the week. He also provided an injury update on where Kansas City stands. 

According to Reid, several players are expected to miss Wednesday's practice. Right guard Trey Smith, who's sick, is one of five.

A fresh update on Joe Thuney's pectoral injury

In the Divisional Round victory against Buffalo, left guard Joe Thuney exited the contest with an injury. A Monday MRI revealed a pectoral strain for the first-team All-Pro, which was viewed as a positive development for the team. A strain gives Thuney some chance of returning this postseason, although he still faces an uphill battle. 

With Thuney missing practice on Wednesday, his participation status on Thursday and Friday will be worth watching. Regarded as an extremely tough player, the 31-year-old has played through injuries such as a fractured hand in the past. If there's a way for him to play in the conference title game, he'll compete hard for it.

Adam Schefter of ESPN echoed a similar sentiment early on Wednesday afternoon. He tweeted from his X account that Thuney is "unlikely to play" per one source but will "work like crazy" to do so from another. There simply isn't a clear picture of Thuney's eventual playing status right now:

Chiefs’ Pro-Bowl guard Joe Thuney will not practice today due to his pec injury and, in the words of one source, is unlikely to play Sunday vs. the Ravens. But as another source also said, “he’s going to work like crazy to play."

Isiah Pacheco nursing toe injury, Skyy Moore still being held back

A notable development on Wednesday is running back Isiah Pacheco being held out of practice. Reid described it as a toe injury, albeit one that's "getting better." Pacheco is coming off a stellar Divisional Round performance in which he carried the ball 15 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. Baltimore has Pacheco firmly on its radar — this appears to be a minor ailment on the surface. 

Asked #Chiefs Isiah Pacheco (toe) if he’ll play Sunday in Baltimore: “Absolutely”

— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) January 24, 2024

Elsewhere for Kansas City, wideout Skyy Moore is missing another practice with a lingering knee injury. After getting designated to return from the injured reserve list, the second-year man practiced last Wednesday and Thursday but suffered a bit of a setback and was a non-participant on Friday. There's still plenty of time before his 21-day practice window is closed, but that's not a good sign for a quick recovery timeline for Moore to play. 

Mike Edwards remains in concussion protocol

Safety Mike Edwards left the first quarter of the Divisional Round after a collision with Bills wideout Stefon Diggs. The offseason free agent pickup promptly entered concussion protocol and was ruled out of the contest, posing him with a challenge to play this week. The Chiefs are no strangers to the return-to-play protocol, as Pacheco and rookie offensive tackle Wanya Morris have both dealt with it late in the season. It won't be made known what stage Edwards is in, so like the others currently nursing injuries, his participation (or lack thereof) in practice later in the week could signal his status for Sunday. 

Update: The Chiefs' official Wednesday injury report also lists linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (neck), cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (calf) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (oblique) as limited participants in practice. Offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, recently designated to return off IR, was a full participant.

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