The Kansas City Chiefs are just a handful of days away from capping off their 2023-24 regular season against the Los Angeles Chargers. With the team back at practice on Wednesday, a handful of players won’t be on the field.
According to head coach Andy Reid, four Chiefs will be held out of the afternoon’s practice. Defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin spasm), cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf strain), running back Isiah Pacheco (quad contusion) and wide receiver Rashee Rice (hamstring) will focus on rehab and recovery.
Speaking to the media, Reid also provided some brief updates on what the Chiefs’ lineup could look like and which stars are tracking to play or sit out.
As many expected, Patrick Mahomes won’t play on Sunday in Los Angeles. In 16 games played this season, he’ll finish with 4,183 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 92.6 passer rating. There’s a case to be made that this was the worst statistical campaign of Mahomes’s illustrious career thus far, although he still managed to be one of the most valuable players in the sport. Mahomes now gets a head start on resting up and preparing for the postseason.
In Mahomes’s place, backup Blaine Gabbert will get the nod in Week 18. The veteran last played in a Week 3 blowout win over the Chicago Bears, completing three of five passes for 31 yards and a pair of interceptions. Gabbert, 34, has over a decade of experience and said he’s telling his younger teammates to “have fun, cut it loose and just go play ball” against the Chargers. Chris Oladokun is expected to be Gabbert’s backup.
