Just one day ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Houston Texans, the Kansas City Chiefs have added starting linebacker Leo Chenal to the injury report with an illness.
It’s that time of year for seasonal illnesses. Chiefs PR has stated that an illness has been making it’s way through the locker room, which happens pretty much every winter. Hopefully Chenal can get it under control enough to play on Saturday, but it could be tough with less than 24 hours to go.
If he can’t go, expect a blend of backup linebackers Cam Jones, Jack Cochrane and possibly even Swayze Bozeman to take his place. Jones and Cochrane have been core special teams players, and Bozeman has been elevated to the active 53-man roster each of the past two weeks.
Being without Chenal would be a major blow as he has played well and become an important piece of Kansas City’s defense in 2024. Chenal has 51 tackles (four for loss), three forced fumbles, three passes defensed, one sack, and a blocked field goal on the season. He is a versatile, high-motor player who can play all three linebacker positions, and has even lined up at defensive end at times this year.
The Chiefs will particularly miss Chenal in run defense. Texans running back Joe Mixon is having a big year with 910 rushing yards, and his 11 rushing touchdowns are tied for the third-most in the NFL. Kansas City’s defense will look to carry it’s momentum over from last week when it recorded five sacks and six turnovers against the Cleveland Browns.
