Inside Look: Kansas City Chiefs Week 15 Injury Report for 2025 NFL Season
The Kansas City Chiefs are navigating a season that feels entirely foreign to the Patrick Mahomes era. Sitting at 6-7 and clinging to playoff aspirations, every snap and every practice rep carries a weight that usually does not exist until January. As the team prepares for a must-win AFC West showdown against the 9-4 Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the injury report has become the most scrutinized document in Kansas City.
Thursday provided a clearer, albeit somewhat concerning, picture of who might be available for this do-or-die contest. While Wednesday offered a glimmer of hope with several key returns, Thursday’s practice session introduced a new variable and confirmed lingering fears regarding the offensive line.
Offensive Line Stability Remains a Major Question Mark
The most pressing storyline from Wednesday to Thursday remains the availability of the offensive tackles. Protecting Patrick Mahomes is paramount, especially given his own presence on the injury report with a knee issue, though he was a full participant both days.
However, the edges of the line are in jeopardy. On Wednesday, offensive lineman Wanya Morris (knee) and tackle Jawaan Taylor (triceps/knee) did not participate. The hope was that 24 hours of rest might allow for at least limited work on Thursday. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Both Morris and Taylor were absent from practice again today.
This is a significant blow to the offensive continuity. Facing a Chargers defense that includes pass-rushing threats, entering Sunday without your primary tackles is a nightmare scenario for head coach Andy Reid. The lack of progression from Wednesday to Thursday suggests their availability for Sunday is in serious doubt, putting immense pressure on the depth chart.
There is a silver lining in the trenches, however. Guard Trey Smith, who has been battling an ankle injury and missed time recently, was a full participant on Wednesday and maintained that status through Thursday. His return to the interior would be a massive boost for the run game and interior pass protection, providing a necessary anchor if the tackles are indeed sidelined.
A Surprise Addition to the Defense
Wednesday’s report was relatively clean for the linebacker corps, but Thursday threw a wrench into the defensive game plan. Nick Bolton, the heart and signal-caller of the defense, was added to the injury report and did not practice today due to an illness.
Late-week additions are always tricky. While illnesses can clear up in 24 or 48 hours, missing a pivotal practice day this close to a game against Justin Herbert and a surging Chargers offense is far from ideal. Bolton’s status has now become a major watch point. If he cannot go, or if he is limited physically by the illness, the communication in the middle of the Chiefs’ defense will be tested severely.
Elsewhere on defense, cornerback Trent McDuffie remained a topic of conversation. He was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday with a knee injury. His progression this week is vital, especially given the Chargers‘ aerial attack. Safety Bryan Cook (ankle) practiced fully on Wednesday, signaling he is on track to play, which provides some stability to the secondary.
Skill Position Players Trending Up
Despite the concerns on the line and at linebacker, the Chiefs have to be encouraged by the health of their pass catchers. Wednesday’s report listed Rashee Rice (hamstring), JuJu Smith-Schuster (rib) and Noah Gray (shoulder) as full participants. Nothing changed on Thursday to suggest any setbacks.
Nikko Remigio, dealing with a concussion, also practiced fully on Wednesday. Seeing these weapons available for Mahomes is crucial. If the offensive line struggles to hold blocks against Los Angeles, the ability of Rice and Smith-Schuster among others to win quickly on short routes will be the offense’s lifeline.
Additionally, wide receiver Marquise Brown (personal) did not practice Wednesday. His status remains something to monitor as the week concludes, though personal matters are often distinct from physical ailments regarding game availability.
The Final Picture Awaits on Friday
While Thursday provides the trend, Friday provides the answer. Tomorrow’s injury report will come with the official game designations: Out, Doubtful or Questionable.
For players like Wanya Morris and Jawaan Taylor, a third straight day of missed practice would almost certainly rule them out. For Nick Bolton, Friday will reveal if this is a 24-hour bug or something that could keep him off the field Sunday.
The stakes could not be higher. A loss to the Chargers would drop the Chiefs to 6-8, completely crushing their playoff hopes. A win keeps them in the hunt. As the team looks to salvage a season that has gone off the rails, the health of the 53-man roster is just as important as the game plan itself. All eyes now turn to Friday to see exactly who will be suiting up for the most important game of the season to this point.
