The Detroit Lions will travel to Arrowhead Stadium, entering the heart of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Kingdom, for a primetime showdown on Sunday Night Football in Week 6.
Kansas City has not gotten off to a smooth start with a 2-3 record. However, with Patrick Mahomes under center, they remain a major threat. Defensively, the Chiefs still rank among the league’s better units as they are placed eighth in PFSN’s Defensive Impact Rankings with a score of 80.5. However, their struggles in containing the run could give Detroit an opening to exploit.
Inactive List for Chiefs vs. Lions
The Lions, meanwhile, last faced the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Kickoff Game, which ended in a 21-20 win for Detroit, courtesy of touchdowns from Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brian Branch, and David Montgomery. That game marked the beginning of a new era for Detroit, which was chasing just its fourth playoff berth in 23 years but is now a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
After a 27–13 loss in Week 1 to the Green Bay Packers, the Lions (4-1) have ripped through with four straight wins, scoring 30-plus points in each game. So, who will be on the field and who will be inactive when these two teams square off on Sunday Night Football?
The Chiefs have listed five players as inactive for Week 6, but Xavier Worthy, who has been managing a shoulder issue since Week 1, will play.
For Detroit, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown returned to practice this week after a wrist injury and has been taken off the injured list. However, the Lions will be without seven players, including Giovanni Manu, who stepped in for Taylor Decker at left tackle last week but suffered a knee injury himself and will not play.
Here are the inactives for tonight’s matchup:
Kansas City Chiefs
- CB Kristian Fulton
- TE Jared Wiley
- RB Elijah Mitchell
- OT Josh Simmons
- DE Malik Herring
Detroit Lions
- RB Sione Vaki
- DT Alim McNeil
- LB Zach Cunningham
- CB Terrion Arnold
- CB Avonte Maddox
- DL Mekhi Wingo
- S Loren Strickland
Starters for Chiefs and Lions
Kansas City Chiefs
These are the Chiefs players who will take the field in offense:
QB Patrick Mahomes
RB Isiah Pacheco
WR1 JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR2 Xavier Worthy
WR3 Hollywood Brown
TE Travis Kelce
LT Jaylon Moore
LG Kingsley Suamataia
C Creed Humphrey
RG Trey Smith
RT Jawaan Taylor
Looking to get back on track, the defense for the Chiefs will feature:
LDT Chris Jones
RDT Derrick Nnadi
LDE George Karlaftis
RDE Mike Danna
SLB Drue Tranquill
WLB Leo Chenal
MLB Nick Bolton
LCB Jaylen Watson
RCB Kristian Fulton
FS Bryan Cook
SS Jaden Hicks
The special teams, a constant highlight for the team, will feature:
LS James Winchester
H Matt Araiza
K-FG Harrison Butker
K-KO Harrison Butker
P Matt Araiza
KR Nikko Remigio
PR Nikko Remigio
Detroit Lions
The Lions’ offense will miss their starter and backup at left tackle. Here’s who will take the field from Detroit:
QB Jared Goff
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR2 Jameson Williams
FB Craig Reynolds
TE Sam LaPorta
LT Dan Skipper*
LG Christian Mahogany
C Graham Glasgow
RG Tate Ratledge
RT Penei Sewell
A defense will be missing its young cornerback for some time. Here’s the list of Lions players who will take the field:
LDT DJ Reader
RDT Tyleik Williams
LDE Aidan Hutchinson
RDE Tyrus Wheat
SLB Derrick Barnes
WLB Alex Anzalone
MLB Jack Campbell
LCB Amick Robertson*
RCB Rock Ya-Sin
FS Kerby Joseph
SS Brian Branch
Their special teams unit will feature:
LS Hogan Hatten
H Jack Fox
K-FG Jake Bates
K-KO Jake Bates
P Jack Fox
KR Grant Stuard
PR Kalif Raymond
