Chris

Jones

The Chiefs also removed LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) from their injury report after both were listed on the report to start the week. Despite being listed on the report, Jones and Humphries were full participants in practice all week long, meaning there’s little to no concern about their health heading into Saturday’s game against the Texans.

Jones sat out the final two weeks of the season after injuring his calf against the Texans on Christmas, but he looks primed to be ready to go for the rematch on Saturday. The Week 18 rest likely would have happened either way. Kansas City’s best pass rusher finished the year with five sacks in 15 games, but a 91.0 PFF pass rush grade and a team-high 53 hurries.

The Chiefs were hopeful that Jones may be able to go, but the calf injury and the short layoff made it impossible for the 30-year-old to go. There’s a good chance he’ll be able to play if Week 18 against the Broncos game if that contest has any significance. The Chiefs will miss Humphries for a third straight game, but Jawaan Taylor (knee) is active for the Christmas Day contest.

Jones got in a limited session on Tuesday, which was enough to get him on to the questionable line. His absence would be a big deal as he’s clearly Kansas City’s most-renowned pass rusher and draws a lot of attention away from his fellow rushers. Pittsburgh’s offense would greatly benefit if Jones sits this week.

Given the NFL’s condensing of the schedule to accommodate this Christmas doubleheader on Wednesday, it was always a bit of a stretch to believe that Jones would be available. He left Week 16’s game late after walking off and did not play at al in the fourth quarter. It seems likely that the Chiefs will be lacking their best pass rusher against the Steelers on Christmas.

He was officially questionable to return, but the Chiefs were able to run out the clock. Jones was tended to by trainers briefly, but was able to walk off. He watched most of the fourth quarter while wearing a stocking cap on the sideline. With the Chiefs win, it’s possible Jones will get some time off in the near future even if he is fine. Kansas City will only need one more win or Bills loss to clinch homefield and the first-round bye.

When asked about Jones’ expected return-to-play timeline, Andy Reid initially offered “We’ll see, we’ll see” before joking, “I know he was messing with you guys but he does have a groin there. I mean, we all have groins but he has a sore groin.” The two-time defending first-team All-Pro has ample time to recover before Week 1 kicks off but his status as an elite interior defender makes this a storyline to monitor.

Jones’ teammate, Travis Kelce, previously said he can’t put a timeframe on when he would retire, but plans to play through his contract. Jones said, “We can’t let TK go. It’s like we retire, we’ve got to retire together.” He turns 30 next month and plans to play through the new five-year deal he signed with the Chiefs this offseason. Jones continued, “Give me at least six, four years, then we’ll talk about it.” Jones is still playing at a high level, tallying 10.5 sacks last season. He will aim to contribute to a Chiefs three-peat, while the team keeps the core veterans together for the short-term.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes a mammoth $95 million guaranteed, a new record for a defensive tackle. Even more impressively, all that money comes the first three years. Jones’ decision to hold out last summer and miss Week 1 continues to pay off in the long run. A monster all last season — especially in the playoffs — 30-year-old Jones (in July) and the Chiefs had seemed to bury any ill will by the time the team’s championship parade rolled around, with Jones guaranteeing he would return for 2024. The new contract is a win-win for both sides, with Jones getting his pay day and the Chiefs not committing money to an interior lineman beyond his age-32 campaign.

Per Dianna Russini, Jones is still seeking an annual $30 million, which would put him behind Aaron Donald and Nick Bosa but make him the league’s third highest paid defender. Unlike last year, negotiations seem to be in a good place, with GM Brett Veach publicly declaring he wants to sign Jones long-term. The Chiefs have spent the week clearing cap space. This seems like it is going to get done.