Joe

Thuney

A two-time Pro Bowler that helped stabilize the Kansas City offensive line after its struggles a few years ago, Thuney will join Ben Johnson’s revamped Bears offense in 2025. Thuney, 32, who has missed just one regular season game over three years with the Chiefs, was graded last season by Pro Football Focus as the league’s 21st best pass-blocking offensive lineman. The Chiefs, per the Kansas City Star’s Sam McDowell, “weren’t in position to extend a 32-year-old guard with so many of their own young players headed towards free agency.” The Bears appear keen on bolstering their line after acquiring Jonah Jackson from the Rams on Tuesday. In 2024, Chicago had the league’s eighth best pass-blocking line, per PFF, while Caleb Williams took a league-high 68 sacks.

According to Fowler, tackle D.J. Humphries is healthy, but the team was impressed with how Thuney filled in at tackle earlier this season. In his three starts at left tackle, Thuney allowed 14 pressures and no sacks and didn’t surrender a single pressure in Week 17’s win over the Steelers, per PFF. Taking a “ride the hot hand” approach, the Chiefs will hope Thuney can continue his impressive play against Will Anderson and the Texans’ defensive front.

In addition to Thuney, the Chiefs also placed EDGE Charles Omenihu, DT Derrick Nnadi, and DB Jaylen Watson on the PUP list. Thuney suffered what was called a “significant pectoral injury” by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport during last year’s AFC Championship Game against the Ravens and was unable to suit up for the Super Bowl as a result. In addition to Thuney, Omenihu suffered a torn ACL in the Super Bowl and is a likely candidate to open the year on the reserve/PUP list. All players are eligible to return to the roster upon passing a physical.

Thuney was always considered a “long shot” to suit up after injuring his pectoral muscle in the AFC Divisional Round against the Bills. He was unable to go in the AFC Championship Game against the Ravens and will now miss his second-consecutive game with the injury. Guard Nick Allegretti is expected to replace Thuney on Sunday.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week that Thuney is a “long shot” to play. Thuney is dealing with a significant pec injury and did not practice at all last week. It’s hard to imagine him playing, but the All-Pro guard is doing everything he can to suit up for the most important game of the season. We will get a clearer picture of his status before kickoff either by the Chiefs’ injury report or NFL insiders.

McKinnon (groin) was designated to return from injured reserve by the Chiefs this week, giving him a chance to practice before the Super Bowl. However, Andy Reid’s comments make it seem like it is unlikely we will see McKinnon play against the 49ers. Reid also said LG Joe Thuney is “a long shot” and also added “we’ll see” for WR Kadarius Toney’s chances of playing in the Super Bowl. Toney is practicing while Thuney and McKinnon are not.

Rapoport adds that the All-Pro offensive guard is unsure if he will be able to practice this week and that “he’s never quite been in this situation before.” It remains to be seen what his practice week will look like or if he’ll be able to play come Sunday but the Chiefs, and Thuney, will surely do everything in their power to get one of the league’s top linemen on the field for the Super Bowl. Stay tuned.

With the Super Bowl over a week away, the Chiefs didn’t hold a full practice, but they did release an estimated practice report. All of Pacheco, DT Chris Jones (quad), OG Joe Thuney (pectoral), and DE Charles Omenihu (knee) were also estimated as non-participants. We know Omenihu will miss the Super Bowl with a torn ACL and Thuney did not play against the Ravens, but Jones is a new addition, which means he must have picked up the quad injury during the AFC title game. Pacheco, Thuney, and Jones all have more than enough time to get back on the field, but we’ll keep an eye on their practice reports early next week.

According to Rapoport, Thuney has “received varying opinions” on his injury, with some suggesting he’s dealing with a tear rather than a strain. The All-Pro guard is reportedly considering surgery and is “considered a long-shot” to play in the Super Bowl should the Chiefs beat the Ravens in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game.

It was reported earlier in the week that Thuney was unlikely to play in Sunday’s AFC title game, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The All-Pro guard underwent an MRI on his pectoral following last week’s win over the Bills, and while the MRI only revealed a strained muscle, he’ll need more than a week to recover before playing. Assuming the Chiefs advance past the Ravens this weekend, it’s possible we’ll see Thuney again in the Super Bowl. Mike Caliendo is listed behind Thuney on the team’s unofficial depth chart and will presumably get the nod on Sunday.