Kansas City, MO – In a major blow to the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff aspirations, the team has released troubling injury updates ahead of their crucial Week 14 matchup against the Houston Texans. With the season entering its final stretch, the Chiefs are already grappling with the toll of injuries, and the latest news paints a grim picture for their offensive line.
Head coach Andy Reid addressed the media on Friday afternoon, providing insights into the status of key players, including standout guard Trey Smith and tackle Jawaan Taylor. Both players, who form the backbone of the right side of the offensive line, were absent from practice, raising serious doubts about their availability for Sunday’s game.
“As far as the injuries go, [Chris] Roland-Wallace will end up being listed as out,” Reid stated. “We’re just waiting to see on the days here with Trey Smith and Jawaan Taylor. But they are making progress, which is a positive.”
Despite the optimistic note on progress, Reid tempered expectations, acknowledging the slim chances of either player suiting up. “I mean, it’s been done before,” he said. “Listen, I think it’d be a stretch for them to get there. If the other guys play, they play. We have trust in everybody there.”
Smith, a sixth-round pick from the 2021 draft, has been sidelined since suffering low- and high-ankle sprains during the Chiefs’ Week 12 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. He played just 39 snaps in that game before exiting and missed the following week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith ranks as the No. 20-graded guard out of 79 qualifiers this season, underscoring his importance to the team’s interior protection.
Taylor, in his seventh NFL season, aggravated a triceps injury in the Thanksgiving clash against the Cowboys, limiting him to only 32 snaps (48.5% of available plays). Even with an extended rest period, his recovery has proven challenging. PFF grades him 44th in pass blocking among all tackles, highlighting the potential void his absence could create.
The Chiefs’ offensive line woes are compounded by the placement of rookie left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve following wrist surgery. If Smith and Taylor are unable to go, the team is prepared to turn to backups: Mike Caliendo could step in at guard, while a reshuffle might see Jaylon Moore at right tackle and Wanya Morris shifting to the left side.
UPDATE: In their official injury report released later Friday, the Chiefs listed both Smith and Taylor as doubtful for Sunday’s game. Roland-Wallace and wide receiver Nikko Remigio (shoulder) have been ruled out entirely.
This development couldn’t come at a worse time for the 6-6 Chiefs, who face a red-hot Texans team riding a four-game winning streak and winners of five out of their last six. Houston boasts one of the league’s top defenses, ranking first in EPA per play and EPA per pass allowed, second in passing success rate, and second in series conversion rate under head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the two-time NFL MVP, may need to channel his scrambling prowess to compensate for the depleted line. Coming off a stellar performance against the Cowboys—where he threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns—Mahomes has rushed for 30 yards in each of the last two games, averaging a career-high 29 rushing yards per contest this season.
“You’re going to have to utilize them, utilize everything,” Mahomes said earlier this week, referring to his dual-threat abilities. “Not just my legs, you have to utilize everything you have to go out there and win. This is a really good football team that’s playing really good football right now and has a really good defense. We’re going to have to throw it all out there and find a way to win. This will be a big game for us to showcase who we are and who we think we can be moving on the rest of the season.”
Chiefs fans may recall echoes of Super Bowl LV, where Mahomes delivered a heroic effort behind a battered offensive line but ultimately fell short in a 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Texans’ elite defense looming, Kansas City will need every ounce of Mahomes’ magic—and perhaps some last-minute miracles on the injury front—to secure a vital win and keep their postseason hopes alive.
The game is set for Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, with kickoff at 1:00 PM ET. Stay tuned for further updates as the Chiefs navigate this latest challenge in a season marked by adversity.