KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After a five-game absence due to a stinger injury, left Donovan Smith appears on target to return for Saturday’s Wild Card Weekend contest against Miami, and it’s just in time for the Chiefs offense.
“He’s doing good,” Reid said of Smith’s progress. “I think without any setbacks, he should be fine for the game.”
It’s fortuitous timing for the Chiefs, who in Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers lost backup left tackle Wanya Morris, who remains in the league’s concussion protocol and did not practice Tuesday. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor came in as the left tackle in place of Morris. When he was briefly knocked out of the game for an evaluation on the sideline, left guard Joe Thuney took snaps at left tackle.
Smith, who was listed as a limited participant Tuesday, first suffered the stinger injury in the team’s Week 12 win against Las Vegas. He started the following game at Green Bay but played just 21 snaps before giving way to Morris. The Chiefs haven’t had their original starting line intact for an entire game since Week 11 against Philadelphia.
Taylor said it’s significant getting Smith back in time for the playoffs.
“It will mean a lot,” Taylor said, “It will mean a lot to get the whole line back, get the group of guys back out there and go out there and play football.”
In addition to Morris, wide receiver Justyn Ross also did not practice Tuesday due to a hamstring strain. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (calf) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip/ankle) were listed as limited but are expected to be available for Saturday’s game.
The Chiefs also did not start the practice window for safety Bryan Cook, who suffered what the club termed a sprained ankle against Green Bay in Week 17. The club has expressed optimism Cook may return in the postseason but Reid sounded more pessimistic Tuesday. He remains on injured reserve.
“Yeah, I think that’d be probably a tough return right now the way it sits,” Reid said.
Jerick McKinnon Update
Jerick McKinnon made an appearance in the locker room on Tuesday, and while the classic McKinnon smile remained in place, don’t expect the speedy running back to make a quick return to the field.
McKinnon was on crutches Tuesday in his first day back at the facility since undergoing surgery Jan. 2. Dr. Williams Meyers, who specializes in core muscle injuries, performed the surgery in Philadelphia. In addition to a “sports hernia,” McKinnon also suffered a fractured pelvis that required repair.
That makes it doubtful McKinnon can return this season. The 31-year-old is eligible for free agency this offseason but has expressed an interest in returning to Kansas City.
Chiefs Injury Report
Did not participate: LT Wanya Morris (concussion) and WR Justyn Ross (hamstring)
Limited participation: CB L’Jarius Sneed (calf), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and WR Kadarius Toney (hip/ankle)
Full participation: LB Nick Bolton (wrist), RT Jawaan Taylor (knee), RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), WR Rashee Rice (hamstring), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (oblique), TE Noah Gray (elbow), CB Jaylen Watson (calf), S Chamarri Conner (shoulder) and S Deon Bush (elbow)
Note: An earlier version of this story noted that linebacker Cam Jones was not spotted during the portion of practice open to the media. Jones was not listed on the injury report and was a full participant.
