Kansas City Chiefs Injuries

Cooper McDonald LB IR

Injured Reserve

McDonald will now be forced to miss at least four games after sustaining a knee injury during Monday's win over the Broncos. Ashton Gillotte, R Mason Thomas and Jack Pyburn should be in line for increased playing time in McDonald's absence.

Reported: Sep 16

Ethan Downs LB IR

Injured Reserve

Downs' season is over after he tore his ACL during Tuesday's practice session. The 23-year-old will now shift his focus to getting healthy, and he will look to make his NFL debut during the 2027 campaign.

Reported: Jul 28

Matt Waletzko OT IR

Injured Reserve

Waletzko did not get claimed after the Chiefs waived him with an undisclosed injury Thursday, and he's now in line to spend the entire 2026 on IR. He last suited up for a regular-season contest back in 2024 with the Cowboys.

Reported: Aug 21

John Michael Gyllenborg TE IR

Injured Reserve

Gyllenborg sprained his knee in late July and will need to miss some time. The tight end was moved to IR alongside defensive end Ethan Downs (knee), so the Chiefs now have two roster spots available for the start of training camp Wednesday morning.

Reported: Jul 28

Jeff Caldwell WR IR

Injured Reserve

Caldwell hyperextended his left knee during Wednesday's practice and was promptly waived with an injury designation. The wide receiver will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

Reported: Aug 25

Jimmy Holiday WR IR

Injured Reserve

Holiday is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and he did not play during the preseason. The wide receiver will now be forced to miss the entire 2026 campaign while on IR, unless he is able to reach an injury settlement with Kansas City.

Reported: Aug 31

Omarr Norman-Lott DT O

Out

Norman-Lott was placed on the active/PUP list ahead of training camp, and he did not appear in a preseason game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in October. The defensive lineman will now be forced to miss at least four contests to begin the regular season, and in his absence, rookie first-rounder Peter Woods will handle the primary reserve role at defensive tackle behind Chris Jones and Khyiris Tonga.

Reported: Aug 31

Kader Kohou CB Q

Questionable

questionable

Reported: Aug 19

L'Jarius Sneed CB Q

Questionable

questionable

Reported: Aug 19

Mansoor Delane CB Q

Questionable

Delane was limited at practice Friday after practicing in full Wednesday and Thursday, suggesting he suffered some sort of setback during the week. If he can't suit up in Week 2, it could mean increased reps at corner for Kristian Fulton.

Reported: Sep 18

Melvin Smith Jr. CB Q

Questionable

Smith exited the third quarter with a rib issue and will not return to the game. The undrafted free agent out of Arkansas was fighting for a roster spot and will now likely become a victim of Sunday's cutdown day if he is not placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Reported: Aug 28

Ashton Gillotte DE Q

Questionable

The defensive end might even be able to return for Kansas City's regular-season opener against Denver on Sept. 14, per Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. Gillotte strained his hamstring during a training camp session in late July, returned a little over two weeks later and then ruptured his plantar fascia during a drill. The 2025 third-round pick recorded 38 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks, in a rotational role as a rookie.

Reported: Aug 20

R Mason Thomas DE Q

Questionable

The details of the injury are unknown, and Thomas' status for Kansas City's matchup versus the Broncos in Week 1 is now up in the air. In his absence, Cooper McDonald could see an uptick in reps.

Reported: Sep 03

Tyreke Smith DE Q

Questionable

Smith tweaked his hamstring during the second half of Saturday's exhibition game. He will be held out for the rest of the game, and the injury puts the 2022 fifth-rounder in jeopardy of missing the Chiefs' preseason finale against the Seahawks on Friday. Smith logged two solo tackles prior to his exit.

Reported: Aug 22

Chris Jones DT Q

Questionable

Jones was limited by a calf injury all week and drew the questionable tag for Sunday's home tilt, but the veteran defensive lineman is on track to be active against Indianapolis. He could operate under a limited snap count, which would result in more playing time for Khyiris Tonga, Peter Woods and Bryson Eason.

Reported: Sep 20

Trey Smith G Q

Questionable

questionable

Reported: Aug 19

Drue Tranquill LB Q

Questionable

questionable

Reported: Aug 19

Josh Simmons OT Q

Questionable

questionable

Reported: Sep 15

Patrick Mahomes QB Q

Questionable

Mahomes said a week ago he was "extremely confident" he would be ready for Kansas City's season opener, and the latest report keeps him on track to do so. It's unclear how close he is to 100 percent, but it's growing more and more likely that the torn left ACL he sustained last December will not cost him any action during the 2026 campaign.

Reported: Aug 29

Kenneth Walker III RB Q

Questionable

It was reported Tuesday that Walker was dealing with a foot injury, and head coach Andy Reid clarified a day later that he is actually dealing with an ankle issue. Reid did not express any concern about about Walker's status, so it appears he is not facing any sort of extended absence.

Reported: Aug 26

Alohi Gilman S Q

Questionable

Gilman may have picked up the injury during pregame warmups, which will prevent him from suiting up for Saturday's exhibition contest. He'll undergo more tests to determine the severity of the injury, but it could prevent him from playing in the Chiefs' preseason finale against the Seahawks this Friday. Xavier Nwankpa and Jaden Hicks will start at safety in Gilman's absence, with Christian Roland-Wallace sliding in as the slot corner.

Reported: Aug 22

Chamarri Conner S Q

Questionable

questionable

Reported: Sep 15

Xavier Worthy WR Q

Questionable

Worthy missed over a week of practice time with a shoulder sprain, but he returned to the mix Monday. According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, Worthy worked with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense as a limited participant while the Chiefs managed the wideout's workload coming back from the shoulder injury.

Reported: Aug 10

Chris Jones DT Q

Questionable

Jones was limited by a calf injury all week and drew the questionable tag for Sunday's home tilt, but the veteran defensive lineman is on track to be active against Indianapolis. He could operate under a limited snap count, which would result in more playing time for Khyiris Tonga, Peter Woods and Bryson Eason.

Mansoor Delane CB Q

Questionable

Delane was limited at practice Friday after practicing in full Wednesday and Thursday, suggesting he suffered some sort of setback during the week. If he can't suit up in Week 2, it could mean increased reps at corner for Kristian Fulton.

Chris Jones DT Q

Questionable

Jones was able to play through the tension in his calf in Monday's win versus the Broncos, so it's unlikely his availability for Week 2 is in any true jeopardy. A full practice Thursday or Friday would clear up any lingering doubt going into the weekend.

Cooper McDonald LB IR

Injured Reserve

McDonald will now be forced to miss at least four games after sustaining a knee injury during Monday's win over the Broncos. Ashton Gillotte, R Mason Thomas and Jack Pyburn should be in line for increased playing time in McDonald's absence.

Chamarri Conner S Q

Questionable

questionable

Josh Simmons OT Q

Questionable

questionable

Cooper McDonald LB Q

Questionable

McDonald made one tackle before exiting the game. The second-year player out of TCU is a rotational edge rusher on the Chiefs' defense, and his absence will likely mean more supplemental pass rushes from R Mason Thomas.

Mansoor Delane CB Q

Questionable

Delane started his NFL debut by intercepting Bo Nix on the Broncos' opening possession. The cornerback's injury may be a flare-up of an existing issue he struggled with throughout OTAs. With the first-round rookie ruled out, Nohl Williams will likely see more snaps at outside cornerback.

R Mason Thomas DE Q

Questionable

The details of the injury are unknown, and Thomas' status for Kansas City's matchup versus the Broncos in Week 1 is now up in the air. In his absence, Cooper McDonald could see an uptick in reps.

Josh Simmons OT Q

Questionable

It's not clear at this point exactly what happened or whether it will threaten Simmons' availability for Kansas City's matchup versus the Broncos in Week 1. Until Simmons is ready to return to practice, Jaylon Moore is a likely candidate to step in with the first team at left tackle.

Jimmy Holiday WR IR

Injured Reserve

Holiday is dealing with an undisclosed injury, and he did not play during the preseason. The wide receiver will now be forced to miss the entire 2026 campaign while on IR, unless he is able to reach an injury settlement with Kansas City.

Omarr Norman-Lott DT O

Out

Norman-Lott was placed on the active/PUP list ahead of training camp, and he did not appear in a preseason game as he continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered in October. The defensive lineman will now be forced to miss at least four contests to begin the regular season, and in his absence, rookie first-rounder Peter Woods will handle the primary reserve role at defensive tackle behind Chris Jones and Khyiris Tonga.

Patrick Mahomes QB Q

Questionable

Mahomes said a week ago he was "extremely confident" he would be ready for Kansas City's season opener, and the latest report keeps him on track to do so. It's unclear how close he is to 100 percent, but it's growing more and more likely that the torn left ACL he sustained last December will not cost him any action during the 2026 campaign.

Melvin Smith Jr. CB Q

Questionable

Smith exited the third quarter with a rib issue and will not return to the game. The undrafted free agent out of Arkansas was fighting for a roster spot and will now likely become a victim of Sunday's cutdown day if he is not placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Kenneth Walker III RB Q

Questionable

It was reported Tuesday that Walker was dealing with a foot injury, and head coach Andy Reid clarified a day later that he is actually dealing with an ankle issue. Reid did not express any concern about about Walker's status, so it appears he is not facing any sort of extended absence.

Jeff Caldwell WR IR

Injured Reserve

Caldwell hyperextended his left knee during Wednesday's practice and was promptly waived with an injury designation. The wide receiver will now spend the entirety of the 2026 regular season on injured reserve unless he is waived with an injury settlement.

Alohi Gilman S Q

Questionable

Gilman may have picked up the injury during pregame warmups, which will prevent him from suiting up for Saturday's exhibition contest. He'll undergo more tests to determine the severity of the injury, but it could prevent him from playing in the Chiefs' preseason finale against the Seahawks this Friday. Xavier Nwankpa and Jaden Hicks will start at safety in Gilman's absence, with Christian Roland-Wallace sliding in as the slot corner.

Tyreke Smith DE Q

Questionable

Smith tweaked his hamstring during the second half of Saturday's exhibition game. He will be held out for the rest of the game, and the injury puts the 2022 fifth-rounder in jeopardy of missing the Chiefs' preseason finale against the Seahawks on Friday. Smith logged two solo tackles prior to his exit.

Matt Waletzko OT IR

Injured Reserve

Waletzko did not get claimed after the Chiefs waived him with an undisclosed injury Thursday, and he's now in line to spend the entire 2026 on IR. He last suited up for a regular-season contest back in 2024 with the Cowboys.

Ashton Gillotte DE Q

Questionable

The defensive end might even be able to return for Kansas City's regular-season opener against Denver on Sept. 14, per Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. Gillotte strained his hamstring during a training camp session in late July, returned a little over two weeks later and then ruptured his plantar fascia during a drill. The 2025 third-round pick recorded 38 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks, in a rotational role as a rookie.

Drue Tranquill LB Q

Questionable

questionable

Kader Kohou CB Q

Questionable

questionable

L'Jarius Sneed CB Q

Questionable

questionable

Trey Smith G Q

Questionable

questionable

Patrick Mahomes QB Q

Questionable

Mahomes has been progressing well in his recovery from a torn ACL that was surgically repaired in December. He has been cleared for 11-on-11 drills, but the Chiefs don't have much incentive to rush the star quarterback's return to game action. Justin Fields, Garrett Nussmeier and Chris Oladokun will suit up at quarterback Saturday. Mahomes continues to target the Sept. 14 regular-season opener against the Broncos as his return date.

Xavier Worthy WR Q

Questionable

Worthy missed over a week of practice time with a shoulder sprain, but he returned to the mix Monday. According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, Worthy worked with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense as a limited participant while the Chiefs managed the wideout's workload coming back from the shoulder injury.

Patrick Mahomes QB Q

Questionable

Reid isn't sure if Mahomes will play in the second or third preseason game, either. The Chiefs typically play their starters more than other teams in August, but it won't be shocking if they make an exception for a superstar QB coming back from an ACL tear. Mahomes' return has gone well, by all accounts, with no signs of limitation early at training camp. He may not run as often as he did last year, but he's on track for a Week 1 appearance.

Mansoor Delane CB Q

Questionable

Delane has been dealing with a shoulder injury since June, and it's still bothering him with the regular season just a little more than a month away. Until he's back to full strength, 2025 third-rounder Nohl Williams is a candidate to see more practice reps with the first-team secondary.

Ashton Gillotte DE Q

Questionable

Whether the injury will impact Gillotte's availability for Week 1 of the regular season will depend on the severity of the strain. As long as he's sidelined, Felix Anudike-Uzomah and rookie second-rounder R Mason Thomas will be candidates to see an uptick in reps on the edge.

Ethan Downs LB IR

Injured Reserve

Downs' season is over after he tore his ACL during Tuesday's practice session. The 23-year-old will now shift his focus to getting healthy, and he will look to make his NFL debut during the 2027 campaign.

John Michael Gyllenborg TE IR

Injured Reserve

Gyllenborg sprained his knee in late July and will need to miss some time. The tight end was moved to IR alongside defensive end Ethan Downs (knee), so the Chiefs now have two roster spots available for the start of training camp Wednesday morning.

Omarr Norman-Lott DT O

Out

Norman-Lott's move to the PUP list comes as expected, as he is still working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 7 of the 2025 campaign. The 24-year-old can be activated at any time and should have a chance to return at some point during training camp.