The Kansas City Chiefs have been one of the most dominant NFL teams of the last decade. That’s why it was so shocking when the team was eliminated from playoff contention after a Week 15 loss. Now, the team is dealing with injuries to multiple key players as they try to end the season on a positive note.
Can the Chiefs Overcome Injuries and Win in Week 16?
Of course, the biggest injury-related news involves Patrick Mahomes. The star quarterback went down at the end of the Week 15 loss and was later diagnosed with a torn ACL.
“I’ve had a good visit with him a couple times. He’s in a good place,” head coach Andy Reid said about Mahomes. “He feels he let people down. … He’s ready for the challenge that’s ahead.”
Losing a franchise star like Mahomes is especially devastating for a team, and the Chiefs’ elimination from playoff contention the same day added another layer.
Unfortunately, Mahomes isn’t the only key player on the Chiefs dealing with an injury. The team’s Wednesday injury report listed a whopping 17 players, with six of them not practicing at all.
The Tennessee Titans, whom the Chiefs are playing in Week 16, have several injuries of their own. The team added three safeties to injured reserve just this week and have 12 players listed on Wednesday’s report.
What Players Could Miss Week 16 for the Chiefs?
As if missing Mahomes wasn’t bad enough, several other starters could be facing an uphill battle to play against the Titans.
Here’s how the report stands:
1) Leo Chenal, LB
Leo Chenal has played in all 14 games for the Chiefs in 2025. The linebacker is sixth on the team with 58 tackles and also has two sacks, two tackles for loss, and one interception.
🚨 STAT: From 2015 to 2024, the Chiefs never missed the postseason. 10 straight years. 7 straight AFC Championship games. 3 Super Bowl rings. 🏆🏆🏆
That NFL on Fox video is a reminder that even the greatest dynasties have a “down” year. Between the ACL injury and the… pic.twitter.com/10f0jZnvcz
— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) December 18, 2025
Chenal did not practice on Wednesday with a shoulder injury.
2) Trent McDuffie, CB
Trent McDuffie missed his first game of the season in Week 15 due to a knee injury. The star cornerback has 63 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one interception this season.
McDuffie was held out of practice on Wednesday with a knee injury. It will be interesting to see if he’s able to do anything on Thursday.
3) Jaylon Moore, OL
Jaylon Moore was a big free agent addition by the Chiefs last offseason, and he’s suited up in all 14 games so far. The lineman has been a versatile piece capable of playing at multiple spots on the line.
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Moore also missed practice on Wednesday with a knee injury. If Moore can’t go, the team is very thin at tackle. Josh Simmons and Wanya Morris are already on injured reserve.
4) Rashee Rice, WR
Rashee Rice has only played in eight games this season, but he’s one of the most reliable targets. In Week 15, Rice saw a team-high 11 targets but got banged up and is now in concussion protocol.
Rice didn’t practice on Wednesday, and he won’t be able to play until he clears concussion protocol. It hasn’t been uncommon for players to miss one game after a concussion.
5) Jawaan Taylor, OL
Jawaan Taylor has yet to play in December as he deals with an elbow injury. The line struggled without Taylor last week, allowing five sacks against the Chargers.
Taylor didn’t practice on Wednesday, either, and that’s a bad sign for the line. As mentioned, Taylor’s backup, Jaylon Moore, was also held out of practice.
6) Tyquan Thornton, WR
Tyquan Thornton hasn’t missed a game yet this season, and he’s actually been a nice surprise piece. Thornton has a career-high 438 yards and three touchdowns so far.
The speedy receiver was held out of practice on Wednesday with a concussion. Like Rice, Thornton will have to clear concussion protocol before returning.
