Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones might not play in the AFC Championship Game against the Tennessee Titans.
The biggest name to keep an eye on when inactives come out for the AFC Championship Game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs will be defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Jones, who is battling a calf injury, was unable to suit up last week after testing out the injury pregame and only practiced in a limited fashion on Friday this week after sitting out both Wednesday and Thursday.
He comes into Sunday listed as questionable on the Chiefs’ injury report.
According to James Palmer of NFL Network, there’s “not a ton of optimism” that he’ll play.
I’m told #chiefs star defensive lineman Chris Jones will try and test his injured calf pregame to see if there is a chance he can go. He did the same last week and he wasn’t even close to being able to play. Not a ton of optimism, but it is the AFC Championship game.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 19, 2020
This would be a huge blow to a Chiefs defense that’s focused on stopping Titans running back Derrick Henry, who has been on a legendary run in these playoffs and torched the Chiefs’ defense for 188 yards and two scores in Week 10 even with Jones on the field.
Palmer also notes that the work Jones got in on Friday wasn’t much and “just about enough to get loose”.
Chris Jones practiced only on Friday this week and in that practice did very little. Just about enough to get loose. KC was going to look at him again on Saturday during their walkthrough to get another look. It’s not a matter of pain, but if he can play to a certain ability
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 19, 2020
In other injury news, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is expected to play and is in better shape than he was for the divisional round game against the Houston Texans.
Travis Kelce will play today. There is no question. Battled through a knee injury last week and a hamstring injury that occurred in the game and still scored 3 touchdowns. The belief from the #Chiefs is he is actually healthier this week coming into today than he was last week.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 19, 2020
Kelce totaled seven receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown in the last meeting with the Titans. He most notably torched the Texans last week to the tune of 10 catches for 134 yards and three scores. Tight end has been a position the Titans have struggled to cover this season.
For the Titans, they have seven players entering Sunday who are questionable on the injury report, but we haven’t gotten any word one way or the other exactly who will play.
The Titans and Chiefs will kickoff at 2:05 p.m. CST at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday to determine who will be the AFC representative in Super Bowl LIV.