KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs posted a modest injury report on Friday as the team prepares to open the 2021 season on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, but it’s a name that doesn’t appear on the list that looms as the biggest question.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu didn’t practice on Friday and remains on the COVID-19 reserve list. The Chiefs have until 3 p.m. Saturday to restore Mathieu to the active roster but he could remain a game-day decision for head coach Andy Reid even if that occurs.
“We’re just going to see how it goes,” Reid said after Friday’s practice. “The other guys have practiced and are ready to go. If he can’t go, he can’t go. If he can, then he can.”
The Chiefs list defensive end Frank Clark questionable for Saturday’s game with a hamstring issue, although Reid thought the veteran worked hard this week in a limited capacity.
“I thought he looked pretty good,” Reid said. “We’ll see how it goes with him too but he’s sure looked good the last few days.
Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (hip) is also listed as questionable. Offense lineman Austin Blythe, who is returning from surgery for a sports hernia, received a day of rest Friday after taking part in the conditioning period on Thursday. He has been ruled out for Sunday’s game.
The Browns list a half dozen players as questionable for Sunday’s game, including wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (illness). Head coach Kevin Stefanski says Beckham has taken any full contact yet during the preseason and is a game-day decision.
“I think he was limited today so we will use the next 48 hours with all of these guys and determine who is playing and who is not,” Stefanski told Cleveland reporters. “We will let you know 90 minutes before the game.”
Chiefs injury report
OUT: OL Austin Blythe
QUESTIONABLE: DE Frank Clark and DT Derrick Nnadi
Did not participate: OL Austin Blythe (abdomen)
Limited participation: DE Frank Clark (hamstring), and DT Derrick Nnadi (hip)
Full participation: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), WR Mecole Hardman (oblique), RG Trey Smith (shoulder), OL Mike Remmers (knee) and OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (hand)
Browns injury report
OUT: G Michael Dunn and LB Tony Fields II
QUESTIONABLE: WR Odell Beckham Jr., DE Jadeveon Clowney, S Ronnie Harrison Jr., C J.C. Tretter, K Chase McLaughlin and S Grant Delpit
Did not participate: LB Tony Fields II (illness)
Limited participation: WR Odell Beckham Jr. (knee), DE Jadeveon Clowney (illness), C J.C. Tretter (knee), S Grant Delpit (hamstring), and G Michael Dunn (back)
Full participation: S Ronnie Harrison Jr. (ankle), K Chase McLaughlin (right hamstring), LB Slone Takitaki (hamstring), WR Rashard Higgins (hamstring), CB Troy Hill (hamstring) and CB Greedy Williams (groin)
