The Kansas City Chiefs are only a few days away from wrapping up their 2023-24 regular season against the Los
Angeles Chargers. A few players will be absent when the club returns to practice on Wednesday.
According to head coach Andy Reid, four Chiefs will be held out of the afternoon practice. Defensive tackle Chris
Jones (groin spasm), cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf strain), running back Isiah Pacheco (quad contusion), and wide
receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring) will work on rehab and recuperation.
Reid also gave reporters brief updates on what the Chiefs’ lineup would look like and which players are expected to
participate or sit out.
Patrick Mahomes will not play in Los Angeles this Sunday, as many expected. In 16 games this season, he’ll have
4,183 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a 92.6 passer rating. There’s an argument to be made that
2017 was Mahomes’ weakest statistical season to date, despite the fact that he remains one of the sport’s most useful
players. Mahomes now has a good start on recuperating and preparing for the postseason.
In Week 18, backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert will take over for Mahomes. The veteran last appeared in a Week 3
blowout victory over the Chicago Bears, completing three of five passes for 31 yards and two interceptions. Gabbert,
34, has more than a decade of experience and has advised his younger colleagues to “have fun, cut it loose, and just
go play ball” against the Chargers. Chris Oladokun is slated to be Gabbert’s backup.
The Chiefs are in a rare scenario this weekend, with two top players within striking distance of some critical
benchmarks. Tight end Travis Kelce has 984 receiving yards and is only 16 yards away from extending his
unprecedented streak of 1,000-yard seasons to eight in a row. Chris Jones, a defensive tackle, has 9.5 sacks and
needs only a half-sack more to trigger a $1.25 million incentive in his contract.
