Chiefs Reveal 13 Players Who Won’t Play in Regular Season Finale: Who’s Set to Sit?

The Kansas City Chiefs have finally revealed which starters are set to skip KC’s meaningless Week 18 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Jan 7, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walk on the field before the game against  the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have much to play for in their Week 18 regular season finale against the Denver Broncos, and the team has finally revealed which starters are set to sit out the game entirely.

Head coach Andy Reid remained vague regarding the majority of the lineup on Friday, but later in the afternoon, the team’s official injury report cleared up any confusion regarding more than a dozen players.

Running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) and right tackle Jawaan Taylor (hamstring) are both officially out for Sunday’s game as they work through their respective injuries. The Chiefs’ list of “doubtful” players show the rest of Kansas City’s plan.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, cornerback Trent McDuffie, linebacker Nick Bolton, running back Kareem Hunt, defensive end George Karlaftis, safety Justin Reid and linebacker Drue Tranquill are all doubtful for Sunday’s game.

Jones has either been limited or entirely held out of practice since suffering a calf injury against the Houston Texans in Week 16. Most discussions regarding Jones’s calf have not seemed particularly concerning as the veteran enjoys a long recovery break after a grueling regular season campaign.

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman and cornerback Jaylen Watson are also both out as they return from stints on injured reserve. Neither player was expected to suit up in Week 18, and a playoff return for Watson would be huge news for Kansas City’s defense.

None of the Chiefs’ aforementioned 13 players are planning to see the field in Denver, and other players should be close behind. For example, center Creed Humphrey has started every game of his four-year NFL career. Expect to see Humphrey take the field with the starters and exit shortly thereafter.

Notably, none of the Chiefs’ usual wide receivers are officially downgraded for Week 18, leaving some intrigue about who quarterback Carson Wentz will be throwing to on Sunday.

Could wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins be hunting a $500,000 touchdown reception, or did the Chiefs simply prioritize longer-tenured veterans for the “doubtful” designation? If the Chiefs have their way, we won’t know until well after Sunday’s game has kicked off.

Related Posts

Tyler Lіnderbaum’ѕ Future Hangѕ іn the Balance aѕ Ravenѕ’ Contract Decіѕіonѕ Could Sрark a Frenzy іn Free Agency, Potentіally Leadіng the Elіte Center to Command Market-Shatterіng Money Whіle Baltіmore Scrambleѕ to Keeр a Homegrown Star at the Heart of Theіr Offenѕіve Lіne

As contract decisions loom, the Ravens may have unintentionally tipped the scales in favor of their rising star center, reshaping the team’s long-term leverage. 

Where Chіefѕ ѕіt іn AFC Weѕt and рlayoff ріcture after Week 13 loѕѕ to Cowboyѕ…

The Kansas City Chiefs have now lost three of four games after losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13. Here’s where the Chiefs sit in the AFC West and postseason picture following their sixth loss.

Where Cowboyѕ ѕіt іn NFC Eaѕt ѕtandіngѕ, рlayoff ріcture after wіn over Chіefѕ…

A look at where the Cowboys sit in the NFC East and the conference playoff picture after beating the Kansas City Chiefs on Thanksgiving in Week 13.

🔥 Thanksgiving Firestorm: Fans Accuse Referees of Favoring Cowboys in Dramatic Showdown vs. Chiefs ..ll

ARLINGTON, TX — What was supposed to be a classic Thanksgiving NFL spectacle turned into a full-blown controversy, as fans erupted online accusing the officiating crew of…

🔥BREAKING: Chiefs Make Huge Announcement on RB Kareem Hunt Before Cowboys Game 👇

The Kansas City Chiefs faced one of their toughest challenges of the 2025 NFL season in Week 12, as they had to go up against a very good Indianapolis Colts squad,…

⚡ EAGLES SHAKE UP THEIR STRUGGLING OFFENSE – In a bold move, they turn to a freѕh voіce on the headѕet aѕ they fіght to regaіn momentum іn a crucіal Week 13 ѕhowdown agaіnѕt Chіcago. Can thіѕ change ѕрark a turnaround, or іѕ the Eagleѕ’ ѕeaѕon іn jeoрardy?

The Philadelphia Eagles have officially shaken the NFL landscape by making a dramatic shift within their struggling offense. What began as whispers around the