Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not confirm whether or not Kansas City will rest its starters against Denver in Week 18 during his Monday news conference. But Reid did offer a few injury updates as the club goes into the final week of the regular season.
Running back Isiah Pacheco — who would be unlikely to play on Sunday anyway — is dealing with a ribs injury, but should be OK for the postseason.
“He’ll be available playoff-wise. He is tender,” Reid said. “I’ll probably hold him back this week in practice just a bit so he can be fresh and ready to go.”
Pacheco, who missed most of the season with a fractured fibula, rushed for 18 yards on six carries in the Christmas Day victory over the Steelers.
Left tackle D.J. Humphries continues to make progress with his hamstring injury, but it’s unclear whether or not he’ll be available.
“He’s doing good,” Reid said. “I can’t make you any promise. I want to get him out to practice and kind of see where we’re at. But he is doing good in his rehab part. That’s different than being on the field. So, I’d like to just see how he does there.”
Once Humphries is healthy, the Chiefs will have to decide if it’s worth playing him because of how well Joe Thuney has played since shifting from guard to left tackle.
“I’m going to play it kind of by ear as we go here,” Reid said. “I just want to see where we’re at and I’ll evaluate them as we go down the stretch here.”
Finally, Reid said there’s a chance receiver Mecole Hardman (knee) and cornerback Jaylen Watson (ankle) could be back at some point in the postseason, though Reid seemed much more optimistic about Hardman than Watson. However, receivers Rashee Rice and Skyy Moore will not be able to return.