KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Injuries prompted the Chiefs to shuffle their roster heading into their Christmas night matchup with the Denver Broncos, placing five players on injured reserve, including cornerback Trent McDuffie, who has been dealing with a knee injury.
Also landing on injured reserve Wednesday and Thursday were receivers Rashee Rice (concussion), Tyquan Thornton (concussion), and Nikko Remigio (knee); and cornerback Jaylen Watson (groin)
The club signed four practice squad players to the roster and activated cornerback Nazeeh Johnsoon from injured reserve. The additions from the practice squad are defensive ends Ethan Downs and Tyreke Smith; cornerback Melvin Smith; and linebacker Cole Christiansen.
On Thursday afternoon, the elevated wide receiver Jason Brownlee and tackle Matt Waletzko from the practice squad for the game.
Three of the players added to the roster in recent days were among the inactive list issued by the team before Thursday night’s game:
- OT Jaylon Moore
- OG C.J. Hanson
- RB Dameon Pierce
- DE Ethan Downs
- DE Tyreke Smith
- DT Derrick Nnadi
- CB Melvin Smith
Defensive end George Karlaftis and linebacker Nick Bolton, who were added to the injury list with an illness on Wednesday, are expected to play. Both were listed as questionable entering the game.
Key additions and starters for Thursday night’s game with their uniform numbers:
- CB Nazeeh Johnson (13)
- QB Shane Buechele (17) backup
- QB Chris Oladokun (19) starter
- LB Cole Christiansen (48)
- OT Matt Waletzko (73)
- WR Jason Brownlee (89)
- DT Zacch Pickens (93)
With the injuries, the Chiefs will enter the game with the following depth chart at wide receiver
- Xavier Worthy
- Hollywood Brown
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Jalen Royals
- Jason Brownlee
The Chiefs will also have four tight ends active on Thursday: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Robert Tonyan and Jared Wiley.
