Good News, Bad News: Kadarius Toney, Isiah Pacheco Week 3 KC Chiefs Injury Update

Kansas City's injury situation is gaining some clarity ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears.

The Kansas City Chiefs had five players miss practice on Wednesday, creating some uncertainty surrounding their potential availability for Sunday's upcoming game against the Chicago Bears. While it's still unclear exactly who will be able to play in Week 3, there was a classic good news-bad news situation for Kansas City on Thursday.

Per the team, linebacker Nick Bolton (sprained ankle) and wide receivers Kadarius Toney (sprained toe) and Richie James (knee/MCL injury) weren't set to participate in Thursday's practice. On the flip side, running back Isiah Pacheco (hamstring) and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (quad) returned to work and were participants in the open period of practice just three days before the game. Pacheco, who was used as a primary kick returner in his rookie season before becoming the club's starting running back, was seen fine-tuning that element of his game out on the practice field: 

One small note from Chiefs practice: Isiah Pacheco was back taking kicks. He hasn’t been back there in awhile after securing role as team’s top RB late last year. Richie James, Chiefs usual kickoff returner, likely out this week with knee injury. pic.twitter.com/XBqIIA5ZxH

— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) September 21, 2023

With James nursing that MCL ailment, Chiefs assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave Toub listed four wide receivers as potential replacement options in the return game: Toney, Skyy Moore, Justin Watson and rookie Rashee Rice. On Wednesday, head coach Andy Reid admitted that unlike the others who were described as "day-to-day," James's injury "might be a little bit longer" of a turnaround before he's ready to get back on the field. 

In two games this season, James has already returned six punts for an average of four yards per return. He also has one kickoff return for 14 yards. In Week 2's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 28-year-old muffed a punt early on but the team was ultimately able to overcome the turnover as the game unfolded. Toney, Bolton and Gay all temporarily exited the outing at different points with respective injuries. 

Pacheco helped close out the afternoon in Florida for Kansas City, and his return to practice likely bodes well for his chances of playing in Week 3. As always, the Chiefs will release an injury report with practice designations later on Thursday. Arrowhead Report will provide an update at that time. 

UPDATE: Per the Chiefs' Thursday afternoon injury report, Gay and Pacheco were limited in practice. Cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed (knee), Nic Jones (hand) and Jaylen Watson (shoulder), offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (shoulder) and Justin Watson (ankle) were all full participants.

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