KC Chiefs Week 4 Injury Report: Chris Jones Limited in Wednesday's Practice
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a previously undisclosed groin injury. Without much clarity on the severity of the issue, his status for Week 4 is at least somewhat unknown.
A limited designation means that a player did participate in practice but took less than 100% of their normal workload. That leaves a ton of wiggle room, ranging from a player who barely took the field to an injury like tight end Travis Kelce's, suffered in the last section of practice before Week 1. For Jones, his workload against the Chicago Bears in Week 3 provides a clue.
Jones never received an injury designation during or after the Bears game, and head coach Andy Reid did not mention Jones when he spoke to the media before Wednesday's practice. However, Jones played just 16 snaps against Chicago. Even though the Chiefs' usual starters played less than their usual number of snaps due to how quickly the Chiefs got up big on the Bears, Jones far undershot players like Mike Danna (29 snaps), George Karlaftis (33) and Tershawn Wharton (42), though he was on par with Derrick Nnadi (14).
So, what does it all mean?
If Jones's groin caused him even mild discomfort against the Bears, the Chiefs would have been wise to cut his day even shorter than the rest of the starters since the game was never in question. Presumably, a light ramp-up day on Wednesday would fit into that plan. However, after missing all of training camp, the preseason and Week 1, a fear of injuries has been discussed around the building according to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
"I think we talked about this before he got back, he’s always kept himself in really great shape, so I really didn’t worry about that part," Spagnuolo said on September 21. "We did fear the injury things just because your body is not trained for what you have to go through on a Sunday."
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) talks with defensive end Mike Danna (51) during the second half against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jones does have snap-based incentives in his reworked one-year contract, but he and the Chiefs should know that his workload later in the season (and against more serious opponents) should be the focus as he reacclimates to the NFL schedule.
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney was also limited on Wednesday. Linebacker Nick Bolton (ankle) and tight end Noah Gray (illness) did not practice.
