The Kansas City Chiefs head into Week 12, coming off a 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills, marking the end of their perfect season. Now, the Chiefs prepare to face the 3-7 Carolina Panthers on Sunday in hopes of bouncing back from their first loss of the season. Injury concerns remain a factor in this matchup for the Chiefs as they are still without key players on both sides of the ball and have some of their rotational players also dealing with lingering issues.
There is some encouraging news for Chiefs fans this week. The Chiefs have a shorter injury report compared to the past few weeks. Along with the Chiefs’ No. 1 running back, Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu have returned to practice, though still listed on Injured Reserve.
With the season now entering its final months, staying healthy remains a top priority for the Chiefs, so let’s break down the injury statuses for this week and what they mean for the Chiefs heading into this matchup against the Panthers.
Inside Look: Kansas City Chiefs Week 12 Injury Report
The Chiefs released their first official Week 12 injury report on Wednesday, listing six players. Defensive back Chamarri Conner, safety Bryan Cook, running back Kareem Hunt, and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster were all full participants in practice.
During practice this week, Conner has been dealing with a thumb injury but has shown no signs of limitation. Cook also practiced despite a rib injury he sustained in the Chiefs game last Sunday against the Bills. Hunt and Smith-Schuster are also on track to play this Sunday. Both players have had extended treatment periods for multiple weeks regarding their knee and hamstring injuries. Their availability on Friday indicates that they will be a go for Sunday. Unlike Hunt’s injury, Smith-Schuster has had to miss time recently for his hamstring. Time will tell if he will be healthy enough to suit up on Sunday.
Even though Pacheco and Omenihu remain on the team’s reserve list, they have taken positive steps toward returning to the lineup. Pacheco is practicing on a limited basis for the time being after a fibula injury sidelined in Week 2. Omenihu has been recovering from an ACL tear he suffered in the Chiefs 2023 AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens. He has also been able to increase his practice workload this week gradually. Yet despite these strides, both players are unlikely to return this week.
Hunt continues to fight through a nagging knee injury and has not missed a single game since he joined back up with the Chiefs. Smith-Schuster, on the other hand, recently returned to the lineup after missing the last three weeks with his injury but appears to be pushing through it and remains optimistic he will be on track for Sunday and can be a productive contributor for the Chiefs as they look to get back into the win column this week.
Kansas City Chiefs Defense Looks Hopeful
Both Cook and Conner are vital to the Chiefs’ defensive stability. Cook’s rib injury does not appear serious enough to limit his availability. Conner’s thumb issue up to this point has not affected his ability to perform in practice. Both are expected to play against Carolina as they are looking for a bounce-back performance from a defensive perspective, especially after their disappointing showing against Buffalo.
Kansas City Chiefs Health Compared to Previous Weeks
One major absence from the injury report for this week is Patrick Mahomes, who has been dealing with an ankle injury but is now completely off the report. After dealing with minor ailments earlier in the season, his removal signifies that the franchise star is back at full strength. This is nothing but good news for everyone, and the timing could not be any better, as the Chiefs are in the final stretch of the regular season.
Despite the optimism, the team cannot afford further setbacks. With Pacheco and Omenihu soon to return, the Chiefs are also eyeing the possible return of two other players in wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and kicker Harrison Butker. However, they will not be back in the lineup until possibly the end of December or January. For now, the Chiefs will focus on having everyone currently in-house back in full health. To give themselves the best chance of acquiring the No. 1 seed for the playoffs and continuing to make their push for their third straight Super Bowl.
Final Thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs will go into Week 12 with relief and anticipation. While four of the six players on the report have been full participants this week, the limited status of Pacheco and Omenihu remains something to keep an eye on moving forward.
As the Chiefs prepare to face the Carolina Panthers this week, they appear much better equipped, at least in the health department, compared to previous weeks. Now, it’s about maintaining this level of health as best they can to secure a much-needed victory this week.
