As the NFL season enters its final stretch, injuries are mounting across the league, and the Kansas City Chiefs are no exception. Heading into Week 14, the Chiefs face an important Sunday night matchup against the Houston Texans, but will do so under duress along their offensive line. Key injuries to starters have left Kansas City’s frontline vulnerable, raising questions about how quarterback Patrick Mahomes will handle a strong Houston pass rush and whether the team can maintain momentum in its push for the playoffs.
A Look at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Offensive Line’s Condition
The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense line has taken a heavy hit in recent weeks, and the outlook doesn’t seem to be in their favor. Left tackle Josh Simmons was recently placed on injured reserve following surgery to repair a fractured and dislocated wrist, removing one of the team’s cornerstone blockers from the lineup.
Along with Simmons, right guard Trey Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor have also been listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game due to ongoing injuries. Smith is dealing with an ankle issue, while Taylor is managing problems with both his triceps and knee.
As a result, three of the five starting spots along Kansas City’s offensive line are expected to be unavailable against Houston. That leaves backup players Wanya Morris, Mike Caliendo, and Jaylon Moore likely to fill the roles, which has raised questions about the protection around Patrick Mahomes against a formidable Texans pass rush led by defensive ends Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
QB1 here for SNF.@PatrickMahomes x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/dvfShdNHo9
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 7, 2025
Anderson and Hunter have combined for 21.5 sacks this season, with Hunter tied for fourth in the league with 11 sacks and Anderson sixth with 10.5. Both defenders have shown consistent pressure in recent games, meaning the Chiefs’ makeshift line will face a stern test.
The timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse for Kansas City. The team enters the game with a 6-6 record and faces a Texans squad that has won four straight games. Maintaining offensive efficiency is critical, and the Chiefs will need to rely heavily on their running backs, Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, to help take pressure off Mahomes. Limiting quarterback hits and turnovers will be essential for a team fighting to stay alive in the AFC playoff race.
Defensively, Kansas City will need to disrupt Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and control the time-of-possession battle, a key factor in many of their close games this season. On the other hand, the Texans’ defense ranks first in total defense and scoring. PFSN defense Impact metric gives them a 90.7 with an A- rating.
