KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs will be without running back Jerick McKinnon when they visited the Green Bay Packers Sunday night and have bumped up rookie Deneric Prince from the practice squad to fill his spot on the game-day roster.
McKinnon was listed as questionable on Friday with a groin injury. The veteran sat out Wednesday’s practice but returned on a limited basis Thursday and Friday. The club left open the door for McKinnon to play Sunday night but ultimately erred on the side of caution. This marks the second straight game Mckinnon will miss with the injury.
Despite the loss of McKinnon, the Chiefs will be in reasonably healthy condition for their Week 13 contest. The club chose not to activate linebacker Nick Bolton (wrist) from injured reserve this week but receiver Kadarius Toney will play after missing last week’s game with a hip issue. McKinnon and Bolton were the only players listed as limited participants this week.
Prince signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent from Tulsa following this year’s NFL Draft, and he immediately impressed with his quickness and ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He led the team during the preseason with 22 carries and ranked second with 79 yards rushing, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. He also rushed for a score and caught three passes for 7 yards.
Prince also served as the team’s principal kick returner during the preseason, returning six kicks for 112 yards, an average of 18.7 yards per return. While receiver Richie James expects to return punts and kicks this weekend, Prince is available as a backup on the kick return team.
The 23-year-old, 6-foot, 269-pound Prince began his college career at Texas A&M before transferring to Tulsa. He played in 26 games over three seasons for the Golden Hurricane, rushing for 1,723 yards over the parts of three seasons and averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 14 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs elevated Prince over La’Mical Perine, who has already been elevated from the practice squad for three games this year. Once players are elevated from the practice squad for a game three times during a season, they must be added to the 53-player roster. The Chiefs also have on the practice squad running back Keaontay Ingram, who signed with the club Wednesday.
