Inside Look: Kansas City Chiefs Week 14 Injury Report for 2025 NFL Season
The lights of Sunday Night Football are unforgiving, and they often shine the brightest on the areas teams try hardest to hide. As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to host the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the spotlight will be firmly fixed on the trenches. The final injury report for Week 14 has been released, and it paints a concerning picture for the defending Super Bowl champions.
While quarterback Patrick Mahomes and running back Isiah Pacheco are ready to go, the wall that protects them is crumbling. The Chiefs released their final game status designations on Friday, revealing that starting offensive linemen Trey Smith and Jawaan Taylor are officially listed as doubtful. In a league where “doubtful” rarely translates to “active,” Kansas City is staring down the barrel of a significant reshuffling along the offensive front against an elite Texans defensive line.
The Week in Review: A Progression of Concern
To understand the gravity of the situation for Sunday night, one must look at how the week unfolded inside the Chiefs’ practice facility. The anxiety began on Wednesday when the initial injury report was released. It was largely a list of non-participants for key blockers. Trey Smith, dealing with an ankle injury sustained against the Colts, and Jawaan Taylor, managing triceps and knee issues from the Cowboys game, were nowhere to be found on the practice field.
Wednesday also brought the news that left tackle Josh Simmons had been placed on the Reserve/Injured list following wrist surgery. This confirmed that the Chiefs would be down at least one starter for the foreseeable future.
Thursday offered a glimmer of hope that perhaps Smith or Taylor would upgrade to limited participation, a common trajectory for veterans trying to play through pain. That hope did not materialize. Both linemen remained listed as “Did Not Participate” (DNP) on Thursday. The lack of progression mid-week was a telling sign that their injuries were more than just typical late-season wear and tear.
By Friday, the team had to make the hard call. With three straight days of DNP status for both Smith and Taylor, head coach Andy Reid and his staff listed them as doubtful. This designation virtually guarantees that the Chiefs will be fielding a patchwork offensive line in primetime.
Who Is Out and Who Is In
Beyond the offensive line drama, the Chiefs have ruled out two players entirely. Cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace will miss the contest with a back injury. He did not practice all week, failing to log a single rep from Wednesday through Friday. His absence impacts the depth of a secondary that will be tasked with slowing down C.J. Stroud.
Additionally, wide receiver Nikko Remigio has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Remigio started the week as a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday but was downgraded to limited on Friday before being ruled out, suggesting a setback or a decision to prioritize recovery.
However, there is positive news on the roster. Safety Bryan Cook, who missed significant time recently, logged full practices on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. He carries no injury designation into the game, meaning he is fully cleared to play. His return provides a significant emotional and tactical boost to a defense that needs his range and physicality.
The core of the offense also appears healthy. Patrick Mahomes (knee), Isiah Pacheco (knee), Rashee Rice (hamstring) and Noah Gray (shoulder/concussion) were all full participants throughout the week and are cleared for action.
Analyzing the Impact on Sunday Night
The narrative of this game has shifted from a battle of the quarterbacks to a battle of survival for the Kansas City offense. With Josh Simmons on IR and both Smith and Taylor likely sidelined, the Chiefs are expected to rely on backups Wanya Morris, Jaylon Moore and Mike Caliendo.
Morris is projected to step in at left tackle, while Moore likely takes the right tackle spot. Caliendo would be the next man up at guard. While these players have NFL experience, asking three backups to gel instantly against a DeMeco Ryans defense is a tall order. The human element here cannot be ignored. These backup linemen are fighting for their careers and the safety of their franchise quarterback, creating a high-pressure environment that will test their mental fortitude as much as their physical skill.
The Texans are dealing with their own attrition, having placed defensive tackle Tim Settle on injured reserve. However, getting standout pass rusher Will Anderson Jr. back to practice this week (upgraded to limited on Thursday) presents a terrifying challenge for Kansas City’s reserve tackles.
For the Chiefs to succeed on Sunday, the game plan will likely need to adjust. Expect quick passes from Mahomes to negate the pass rush and a heavy dose of Pacheco to test the interior of the Texans’ defense. The coaching staff faces one of their toughest strategic challenges of the season. They must scheme protection for a line that hasn’t played together, all while trying to keep pace with a potent Houston offense.
Sunday night will reveal if the Chiefs’ “next man up” culture is strong enough to withstand the collapse of their starting offensive line.
