The Kansas City Chiefs have a skeleton crew going into Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, as the injury news was not pleasant on December 19.
“Trent McDuffie, Leo Chenal, Jaylon Moore, Rashee Rice, Jawaan Taylor, Tyquan Thornton, Jake Briningstool, Nazeeh Johnson, and Derrick Nnadi are out for Sunday’s game against the Titans,” the Chiefs’ official X account revealed just two days before the Week 16 outing.
A clear sign that KC is taking its foot off the gas pedal now that they are eliminated from postseason contention, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes also out for the year.
That’s not to say the healthy players won’t give it their all versus Tennessee, but the Chiefs organization won’t be rushing anyone back either. Throughout each season, several players always battle through injuries to get out there on Sundays, but that just doesn’t appear to be the case with just three games to play in 2025.
Chiefs’ Rashee Rice & Trent McDuffie Injury News Opens the Door for 2 Recent Draft Picks in Week 16
GettyKansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered a head injury against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The status of Rice is probably the most impactful for readers at this stage of the season — for fantasy football purposes, if nothing else. Having said that, when stars like him and McDuffie are sidelined, it does provide a golden opportunity for others.
In this case, rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals and rookie cornerback Nohl Williams could finally get a much larger snap count as the Chiefs face off against the Titans.
The KC coaching staff hinted that Royals would be more involved down the stretch this week, and it would make sense if Williams was, too. Both of these 2025 draft picks could be important role players next year, and there’s nothing like regular season experience to get them ready.
Similarly, we have seen the Chiefs dish out major opportunities on the offensive line in recent weeks. Undrafted prospect Esa Pole has manned the left tackle position when called upon, Ashton Gillotte has been working in on the defensive line, and youngsters who don’t normally play are getting thrust into action.
That’s really the only silver lining about getting eliminated from the playoffs: you get to see what you have in your youth movement. It’s time to sink or swim!
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