The Kansas City Chiefs may need to run the table if they want to return to the postseason, and injuries are adding a greater degree of difficulty to the task.
The Chiefs had already taken some big hits to their offensive line, and on the eve of their game with the Houston Texans announced another long-term injury for the defense. The Chiefs placed second-year cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace on injured reserve, taking away a versatile defensive back who also saw significant time on special teams.
Chiefs Lose Key Player
Roland-Wallace had missed the team’s Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys with a back injury, and the team determined this week that he would not recover for several more weeks. They placed him on injured reserve, a move that will keep him out until at least Week 17.
Roland-Wallace has appeared in 28 games since joining the Chiefs last season as an undrafted free agent, spending time on both defense and special teams. He appeared in 11 games this season, making 34 total tackles with one interception and three passes defensed.
Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo shared praise of Roland-Wallace after he was hurt in the team’s win over the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 23, saying he has proven to be versatile.
“He’s done exceptionally well,” Spagnuolo said, via SI.com. “He’s just done this the whole time he’s been here. He came in as a free agent. We didn’t know if he was a corner or safety, but he’s a good football player. Got really good instincts, really good ball skills and tackles well.”
The Chiefs made a corresponding move to fill the void during Roland-Wallace’s absence, signing veteran defensive back Mike Edwards to the active roster from the practice squad.
As SI.com’s Zak Gilbert noted, Edwards has already made an impact for the Chiefs this season.
“Edwards, elevated from the practice squad last week, played the entire game against Dallas. He re-signed with Kansas City in the offseason after splitting last season between Buffalo and Tampa Bay,” Gilbert wrote. “In his first stint with the Chiefs, 2023, Edwards helped the team to a Super Bowl title. He also earned a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in 2020 by beating the Chiefs.”
Chiefs Also Hurting on Offense
While the Chiefs will rely on Edwards to fill in during Roland-Wallace’s absence, they also have some holes to plug on the offensive side of the ball. The team listed guard Trey Smith and tackle Jawaan Taylor as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Texans.
The Chiefs also listed quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the injury report during the week after he suffered a knee injury in the loss to the Cowboys. While he is not in danger of missing Sunday’s game, the team does have some other ailments that could slow the offense.
Head coach Andy Reid said two of the team’s top wide receivers are also banged up.
“Yeah, they’re (wide receivers) doing okay,” Reid said.
“I was proud of one (Xavier Worthy) and four (Rashee Rice), they both pushed through some nagging things there with the ankle and the hamstring to get themselves out there and actually get out and play.”
