Patriots vs. Chiefs Wednesday injury report: Ted Karras, Byron Cowart sit out for New England

The New England Patriots returned to practice without two in the trenches.

Center Ted Karras and defensive tackle Byron Cowart were held out of Wednesday’s full-pads work behind Gillette Stadium. Karras had seen his streak end at 841 consecutive offensive snaps in New England’s 28-22 loss to the Houston Texans. And a head injury had seen Cowart, a fifth-round pick last April, downgraded to out before the planes flew to Houston.

But all who endured the flu last week were present as preparations go forth for Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. ET matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here’s the first injury report between New England and Kansas City.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE

• Patriots: C Ted Karras (knee), DT Byron Cowart (head)
• Chiefs: RB Darrel Williams (hamstring), RB Damien Williams (rib), CB Reshad Fenton (hamstring), CB Morris Claiborne (shoulder)

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Karras was believed to have suffered an MCL sprain versus Houston. In the 12-game starter’s absence, James Ferentz stepped in at center for New England’s remaining 43 offensive plays. Across the line of scrimmage, with Cowart sidelined, the Patriots claimed undrafted defensive tackle Albert Huggins to open the week. New England made room by waiving kicker Kai Forbath in a roster move that will necessitate another.

Four Chiefs did not participate in the week’s initial practice, with Damien Williams having missed Week 13 against the Oakland Raiders due to a rib injury and fellow running back Darrel Williams suffering a hamstring injury in the process.

LIMITED PARTICIPATION

• Patriots: WR Mohamed Sanu (ankle), WR Julian Edelman (shoulder), OT Marcus Cannon (illness), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (knee), CB Jason McCourty (groin), S Patrick Chung (heel)
• Chiefs: DE Frank Clark (shoulder)

A total of 10 Patriots surfaced on last week’s final injury report due to illness. Of whom, only Cannon, who started at right tackle during the visit to NRG Stadium, remains listed. The rest of New England’s limited were also active, aside from McCourty. The veteran starting cornerback missed his second game in a row because of a groin injury.

Kansas City’s lone partial participant on Wednesday would be Clark. The defensive end has registered five sacks and three forced fumbles on the year, and exited the Chiefs’ 40-9 rout of the Raiders with a shoulder injury.

FULL PARTICIPATION

• Patriots: Tom Brady (toe/elbow)
• Chiefs: QB Patrick Mahomes (knee), WR Tyreek Hill (hamstring), OT Eric Fisher (groin), DT Derrick Nnadi (elbow), DE Alex Okafor (ankle), CB Kendall Fuller (thumb), S Jordan Lucas (shoulder)

Brady returns to the report with a toe injury in addition to the previous maintenance with his throwing elbow. New England’s quarterback had been a full participant twice and a limited participant once last week.

And for Kansas City, the NFL’s reigning MVP and his reigning first-team All-Pro wideout are among those continuing to practice in full.