KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Defensive tackle Chris Jones is expected to play Sunday night when the Chiefs visit the New York Jets but the club will be without starting linebacker Nick Bolton and cornerback Jaylen Watson.
Jones and wide receiver Kadarius Toney were both limited in practice this week and carry no game-day designations. That means they are expected to play Sunday night. Jones played 16 snaps last week against Chicago after suffering a groin injury while a sprained toe held Toney to just two offensive snaps.
Bolton will miss his second game in a row with an ankle sprain. Watson, who has been dealing with a strained shoulder, was a full participant on Wednesday before being kept on the sidelines the past two days.
The absence of Bolton means Drue Tranquill will again handle middle linebacker duties for the Chiefs. Tranquill lead the club with eight total tackles against the Bears last week and shared a sack with George Karlaftis.
Head coach Andy Reid was pleased with Tranquill’s performance last week.
“You know he’s been doing it a while, so you’re going to get a good day’s work and see how things fall,” Reid said. “He works extremely hard at his job, and you know I think every snap he gets he becomes more familiar with it.”
Watson has averaged about 17 snaps per game as the team’s fourth cornerback and is a core special teams player with 65% of the snaps. Rookie Nic Jones is likely to be active in Watson’s place on Sunday.
Veteran safety Justin Reid on Friday described Jones as “humble and hungry.”
“It’s important that we build the depth and this is going to be valuable experience for him to come in and get an opportunity to play,” he said. ” Whoever goes out there on the field, at the point you step between the white lines you’re a starters. So you’re going to be expected to know what to do and we have confidence in him knowing what to do.”
Tight end Noah Gray, who missed practice Wednesday and Thursday due to illness, was a full participant Friday and carries no game-day designation.
“Yeah, he’ll be able to go,” Reid said. “He practiced today.”
Chiefs Injury Report
OUT: LB Nick Bolton and CB Jaylen Watson
DOUTBFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: None
Did not participate: LB Nick Bolton (ankle) and CB Jaylen Watson (shoulder)
Limited participation: DT Chris Jones (groin) and WR Kadarius Toney (toe)
Full participation: QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), RB Isiah Pacheco (abdomen), WR Justin Watson (anke), LT Donovan Smith (rib), TE Noah Gray (illness), LB Willie Gay (quad), CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee), S Bryan Cook (elbow), S Mike Edwards (bicep) and CB Nic Jones (hand)
Jets Injury Report
OUT: S Tony Adams and OL Wes Schweitzer
DOUTBFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: None
Did not participate: S Tony Adams and G/C Wes Schweitzer
Limited participation: None
Full participation: RB Breece Hall (knee), LT Mekhi Becton (knee) and K Greg Zuerlein (right groin)
