Chiefs LT Jawaan Taylor returned to practice on Friday, easing concerns that he’d miss Sunday Night Football against the Chargers in a critical matchup Kansas City needs to win.

After popping up with an ailment on Thursday, concern grew that Taylor would need to miss the contest. D.J. Humphries is reportedly starting at left tackle based on Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia’s significant struggles.

If one of them needed to step up for Taylor, the Chiefs would be in major trouble.

Taylor hasn’t missed a game so far in the regular season. His contract is becoming an albatross, though there isn’t a reliable backup option.

Undrafted rookie Ethan Driskell could theoretically step in. Morris is the more likely option if Taylor has to miss time though, and no Chiefs fan wants to see that after the Week 13 collapse. Against a tough Chargers team, the Chiefs need the best offensive line possible.

Patrick Mahomes has been under constant pressure this year, leading to an underwhelming offensive performance. Losing Taylor would’ve made things even worse, espeically with a new player taking over on the left side.

Thankfully, there doesn’t appear to be much concern that Taylor won’t play. The Chargers have one of the better defenses in the AFC and this is projected to be a close matchup, enhancing the right tackle’s importance.

Barring disaster, Taylor will suit up. There remains a larger concern that his injury could limit him in a critical game. Should that become a problem, Mahomes will need to improvise yet again and lead the Chiefs to victory.

Here’s hoping that won’t be necessary.