“As the week progresses and the Monday matchup against the Raiders draws nearer, Kansas City’s injury situation is presenting some challenges. Nevertheless, we are fully prepared to face the upcoming game.”

The Kansas City Chiefs have just a few days left before their Week 16 outing against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders. Christmas will be here before anyone knows it, and the team is hoping for good health as a potential present ahead of Monday’s game.

Unfortunately for Kansas City, that simply isn’t a guarantee. After multiple players missed practice on Thursday, the same scenario is unfolding on Friday. The list of those not practicing includes running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon, left tackle Donovan Smith, wide receiver Kadarius Toney and linebacker Cam Jones.

While it’s never a good thing that two of the Chiefs’ top three running backs are missing practice, there is a silver lining. Edwards-Helaire missed due to a personal reason that was excused, so he should be tracking to return on Saturday. McKinnon, however, isn’t as cut-and-dry

The 31-year-old halfback is being held out of yet another practice with what’s being described as a groin injury. That particular ailment has bothered him for weeks, with McKinnon missing two games in a row but being active for the most recent two.
As starter Isiah Pacheco gets back into the fold coming off shoulder surgery, here’s what head coach Andy Reid said about his Week 16 role on

Thursday morning:
For those who are out of Friday’s practice, their participation in activities on Saturday is something to keep an eye on. Usually, players need to get involved in some fashion in the final practice of the week for the Chiefs to potentially make them available in a game situation. If any of the aforementioned players is listed as a Did Not Participate (DNP) on Saturday, that’s a solid indicator of whether they’ll play on Monday.

Toney’s hip is worth monitoring. It’s been bothering him for a bit, but he’s mostly been able to play through the pain or discomfort aside from a Week 12 absence. Wide receivers coach Connor Embree spoke about Toney on Friday, saying that the third-year wideout is merely keeping his head down and continuing to work amid a rough stretch of play: