Andy Reid provided plenty of updates to the media on Tuesday afternoon for the Chiefs.
The Kansas City Chiefs are finally ready to get back to work.
It’s been a few weeks off for the team’s stars after clinching the top seed in the AFC with a 15-2 regular-season record this year. That means tight end Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, pass rusher Chris Jones, and others have sat out for quite some time in the hopes of resting, relaxing, and recuperating from myriad injury—those known and unknown.
The Houston Texans are now scheduled to visit Arrowhead for a doozy of a matchup against the Chiefs. Given the way Houston looked in the Wild Card round, fans might pause, but the truth is that K.C. has plenty of reasons to feel hopeful. sdsd
Jaylen Watson’s status
It’s amazing that we’re even discussing the return of Jaylen Watson at all this postseason after watching him leave with an ankle injury at midseason against the San Francisco 49ers. The original timeline given was that he was likely lost for the season, but the Chiefs had already designated him to returns sfrom injured reserve once the postseason came into view.
Now it appears that Watson might not be waiting for the Super Bowl or even conference championships to make his return to the field. In fact, Watson might be available for the team’s entire postseason run.
Andy Reid spoke to the media and said he liked what he saw from Watson in practice, so it seems that he’s trending toward being available as the Chiefs host the Texans.
“I want to see [how he does] this week, but what I’ve seen so far has been good…He has a chance of playing.”
– Coach Reid on the possibility of Jaylen Watson playing on Saturday
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) January 14, 2025
Left tackle decisions looming
Andy Reid continues to play coy with the public regarding the team’s plans at left tackle going into the postseason.
After multiple weeks to rest and further evaluate the options, the Chiefs are likely down to one of two solutions: keeping left guard Joe Thuney pulled over to left tackle with Mike Caliendo stepping up inside or keeping Thuney in plndsm ace and giving D.J. Humphries the chance to man the outside.
On Tuesday, the Chiefs head coach spoke to the media and said that he’s still not sure how the team will approach the position against the Texans. Given that Houston boasts one of the best pass rushing corps in the NFL, this is no small decision—think Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter among others.
Andy Reid on the Chiefs’ left tackle situation: “I’m going to see how it goes this week. I’m going to rotate them (in practice). I was happy with what Joe (Thuney) & Mike (Caliendo) did, but I liked the snaps that DJ (Humphries) had (against the Broncos).”
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) January 14, 2025
There’s no reason to believe is really that undecided with so much on the line, but it also doesn’t help the organization to say anything of note to reporters before taking the field on Saturday.
Tuesday’s injury report
Everyone is healthy.
Things are that simple (and good) for the Chiefs as they prepare for the Divisional Round. It’s also a far cry from where they’ve been all season long in terms of injuries.
While some players remain out for the season—including wide receiver Rashee Rice and tight ends Jody Fortson and Jared Wiley—the truth is that the Chiefs haven’t looked this strong front to back on the roster since the preseason—shortly. before Hollywood Brown went down in early August with a shoulder injury.
That’s not to say that some players still aren’t ailing to one degree or another. Isiah Pacheco’s recent rib injury, is one example. However, everyone being able to practice for the Chiefs on Tuesday in full is a major boost going forward and it’s why the Chiefs should feel very confident about this Saturday.
