The Kansas City Chiefs players are mostly healthy heading into Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Chiefs ruled out starting left guard Joe Thuney due to the pectoral injury that kept him out of the AFC Championship Game and prevented him from practicing leading up to the Super Bowl, meaning that Nick Allegretti will start in his place once again. The Chiefs also ruled out offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho, who remains on Injured Reserve.
There was good news on Friday’s injury report for the Kansas City Chiefs offense, as running back Jerick McKinnon was officially questionable for the Super Bowl despite being limited in practice all week while remaining on IR.
The best news on Friday’s report is the full participation of wide receiver Rashee Rice, who was limited on Thursday due to an “ankles” designation. Jerick McKinnon and Thuney were the only players on the team who did not fully participate on Friday afternoon, as Wanogho did all week but is out anyway.
Speaking to media earlier in the week, Allegretti said he was preparing as if he’d be starting and noted that Thuney was helping him prepare for the Super Bowl matchup:
“I’m treating it like I’m playing, because that’s how I have to mentally,” Allegretti said to Aaron Ladd of KSHB 41. “He’s also treating it that way so when a left guard coaching point comes up, we’ll kind of look at each other and try to interpret it for each other. What that step means or what the angle means that we have to take. Having a guy like that who’s been probably the best guard in this league for the last four or five yards — has not gotten his credit he deserves. Having a guy like that in your ear and helping you along the way… seeing him prepare, but also knowing the coaching points he’s taking, I can apply to myself. He’s been incredible.”
Kansas City Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon Will Be Active For Super Bowl
On Saturday, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter announced McKinnon will in fact be active for Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup against the 49ers.
Schefter mentioned he didn’t know how much the dynamic RB would play, but if he can even take the field for a handful of snaps it will be a boost to the Chiefs backfield.
McKinnon is considered the Chiefs’ best receiving option from the running back spot. He played in just 12 games during the regular season due to his lingering groin injury. The 31-year-old has yet to suit up during the Chiefs’ current postseason run.
In 12 games played this season, Jerick McKinnon made 25 catches for 192 yards with four touchdowns. He also rushed for 60 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries.
McKinnon played did his part to help the Chiefs during last year’s Super Bowl win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He tallied 49 total yards from scrimmage, 34 yards rushing on four carries and 15 yards on three receptions.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid considered it a “long shot” for the running back to play. But it looks like McKinnon showed enough in practice this week to convince the coaching staff to give him a shot.
It will be interesting to monitor this and see how much he is used in the big game.
