Saturday’s action in the NFL begins with a potential playoff preview in the AFC between a pair of division champions as the AFC South champion Houston Texans visit Arrowhead and the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s the latest injury update for both teams.
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs Inactives
Houston Texans Inactives
- OG Nick Broeker
- DT Folorunso Fatukasi
- DE Jerry Hughes
- WR John Metchie
- OG Juice Scruggs
- TE Cade Stover
- LB Devin White
Kansas City Chiefs Inactives
- FS Chamarri Conner
- T Ethan Driskell
- G C.J. Hanson
- DE Malik Herring
- T D.J. Humphries
- DT Marlon Tuipulotu
- OLB Joshua Uche
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
The biggest news all week was surrounding Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After rolling his ankle during the second half of last week’s 21-7 win over the Cleveland Browns, there was initial concern over whether the three-time Super Bowl MVP would play in Week 16. After a full week of practice, Mahomes is set to start against the Texans.
The Chiefs are also getting back wide receiver Hollywood Brown. The receiver had a shoulder injury since the start of the season and was potentially thought to be lost for the season. But he has been cleared and activated and is good to go for Saturday.
C Creed Humphrey (ankle), K Harrison Butker (left knee) and OT Jawaan Taylor (knee) all logged full practices this week and are set for Saturday. DB Chamarri Conner (concussion) and OT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) have been ruled out.
MORE: What Happened to Patrick Mahomes?
The Texans already have a handful of players ruled out. C/G Juice Scruggs is out for a couple of weeks with a foot injury, adding problems to an already struggling offensive line for the Texans. He should be back for the playoffs.
Wide receiver John Metchie is out after suffering a shoulder injury last week against the Dolphins and did not practice all week. Xavier Hutchinson will start in place of Metchie. DT Foley Fatukasi (ankle) and TE Cade Stover (foot) are also out for Saturday’s game.
Running back Joe Mixon was also on the injury report with an ankle injury and was listed as a limited participant in practice all week. He was hurt on a hip-drop tackle last week against the Dolphins but this may be more the Texans just being cautious with their offensive star. He has no game designation for Saturday.
Houston Texans Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Texans based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: C.J. Stroud
- Running back: Joe Mixon
- Fullback: Andrew Beck
- Wide receiver: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson
- Tight end: Dalton Schultz
- Left tackle: Laremy Tunsil
- Left guard: Tytus Howard
- Center: Jarrett Patterson
- Right guard: Shaq Mason
- Right tackle: Blake Fisher
- Defensive ends: Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter
- Defensive tackles: Tim Settle Jr., Mario Edwards Jr.
- Middle linebacker: Henry To’o To’o
- Weakside linebacker: Christian Harris
- Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Jimmie Ward
- Safeties: Eric Murray, Calen Bullock
- Kicker: Ka’imi Fairbairn
- Punter: Tommy Townsend
- Long snapper: Jon Weeks
- Kick returner: Dameon Pierce
- Punt returner: Tank Dell
Kansas City Chiefs Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Chiefs based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes
- Running back: Isiah Pacheco
- Wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy
- Tight end: Travis Kelce
- Left tackle: Joe Thuney
- Left guard: Mike Caliendo
- Center: Creed Humphrey
- Right guard: Trey Smith
- Right tackle: Jawaan Taylor
- Defensive end: George Karlaftis, Mike Danna
- Defensive tackles: Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton
- Mike linebacker: Nick Bolton
- Weakside linebacker: Drue Tranquill
- Cornerbacks: Joshua Williams, Trent McDuffie, Chris Roland-Wallace
- Safeties: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook
- Kicker: Harrison Butker
- Punter: Matt Arazia
- Long snapper: James Winchester
- Kick returner: Samaje Perine
- Punt returner: Nikko Remigio