Joshua Williams was an expected scratch from the Chiefs lineup Sunday morning in New England after the cornerback developed an illness overnight.
The absence of Williams leaves Jaylen Watson as the primary nickel back for the Chiefs on Sunday behind starters L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie. Watson (303 snaps) and Williams have split time in that role. Rookies Nic Jones and Ekow Boye-Doe will also be active.
The complete Chiefs’ inactive list for Week 15 against the Patriots:
- RB Isiah Pacheco
- LT Donovan Smith
- CB Joshua Williams
- DE Malik Herring
- DE BJ Thompson
- DT Neil Farrell
- DT Matt Dickerson
Saturday the Chiefs elevated running back Deneric Prince and defensive tackle Mike Pennel from the practice squad. Prince will be the No. 3 running back behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon but will primarily play special teams. The Chiefs are hopeful Pacheco, who had a cleanup surgery on his injured shoulder this week, could return to practice this week.
Pennel replaced Dickerson in the lineup this week as the Chiefs look to beef up their run defense against a Patriots offense that will likely lean on play action and the run game behind quarterback Bailey Zappe and running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Kansas City also promoted safety Deon Bush from the practice squad to the 53-player roster. He becomes the fourth safety behind starters Justin Reid and Mike Edwards along with dime safety Chamarri Conner. Bush essentially takes the roster space of Bryan Cook, whom the team placed on injured reserve last week.
The Chiefs made room for Bush by waiving linebacker Darius Harris. The Chiefs will have both Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill available together for the first time since Week 7. The departure of Harris still leaves the club with six linebackers active against the Patriots.
Smith will miss his second straight game while allowing a neck stinger injury to settle down. Rookie Wanya Morris will make his second start of the season at left tackle in place of Smith.
Wide receiver Justyn Ross, who remains with a roster exemption coming off his six-game suspension for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, was not activated before Sunday’s game. He will remain out until his exemption expires this week. The Chiefs have six wide receivers available against the Patriots: Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore and Richie James.
The Patriots will also be without their leading rusher on Sunday with Rhadmondre Stevenson sidelined with an ankle injury. Elliott will get his second start in place of Stevenson. He’s averaging 3.7 yards per carry on the season with 497 yards rushing and two scores while also hauling in 31 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.
Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster will also miss this matchup against his former club due to an ankle injury. Smith-Schuster has played in 11 games this season for the Patriots with 29 catches for 260 yards and a touchdown.
