The New England Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football with the eyes of the league upon the two best teams in the AFC. The Patriots crushed the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday Night Football, while the Chiefs are coming off an easy victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but the Chiefs injury report paints a more dire picture- but they’re still a formidable opponent.
Here’s Wednesday’s injury report.
Did Not Participate
Chiefs: S Eric Berry (heel), LB Justin Houston (hamstring), LB Tanoh Kpassagnon (ankle), S Eric Murray (ankle), RB Spencer Ware (not injury related)
Berry is the team’s best safety and he’s missed time this year, while his back-up, Murray, is now missing practices. Their availability on Sunday is incredibly important because they’ve historically been tasked with defending the Patriots tight ends- and they’ve had plenty of success.
Houston has also been battling injuries and his absence would put greater pressure on the rest of the defense- and would offer the Patriots offensive line a more favorable match-up. The current expectation is that Houston could miss a couple weeks.
Limited Participation
Patriots: DT Malcom Brown (knee), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), DL Geneo Grissom (ankle), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle), WR Chris Hogan (thigh), RB Sony Michel (knee), CB Eric Rowe (groin), DT Danny Shelton (elbow), DE John Simon (shoulder)
New England had full attendance at practice, although there are a few new faces on the injury report. Brown and Simon suffered their injuries on Thursday against the Colts, while Hogan is a new listing with his thigh injury.
Sony Michel is back on the report with his knee injury; hopefully the Patriots are just giving their workhorse running back some additional rest.
DT Adam Butler, TE Jacob Hollister, and LB Elandon Roberts are no longer on the report.
Full Participation
Chiefs: WR Chris Conley (toe), LB Dee Ford (groin/hand), WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring)
These three starters for the Chiefs should be good to go on Sunday. Ford is the team’s best pass rusher, while Watkins and Conley round out a strong offensive grouping with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt.