KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When the Chiefs visit the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday afternoon, they will be without the services of running back Jerick McKinnon and wide receiver Mecole Hardman, according to head coach Andy Reid who ruled both players out Friday afternoon.
“As far as injuries go, McKinnon will be listed as out with a groin strain,” Reid said. “And then Mecole with the thumb sprain will also be listed out.”
Reid also didn’t rule out the possibility that Hardman’s thumb injury might keep him out beyond just Sunday’s game. Hardman is undergoing further evaluation for the injury.
“There’s a chance, yeah, there’s a chance,” Reid said. “We’re just getting it double-checked here but there’s a chance.”
Backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert also did not practice Friday for personal reasons but he’s expected to travel with the team Saturday and be ready to play against the Raiders.
Wide receiver Richie James, who is returning from a knee injury, is the likely candidate to replace Hardman in the lineup Sunday. He was a full participant in practice this week. He as not listed on the team’s injury report this week.
“We activated him last week,” Reid said of James returning from injured reserve. “There’s a chance he’s up.”
The Chiefs have multiple options for replacing McKinnon with practice squad running backs La’Mical Perine and Deneric Prince. Prince offers the dual option of being able to fill in as a kick returner. Hardman had filled both punt and kick return roles until his thumb injury knocked him out of Monday night’s game.
“We’ll see,” Reid said. “I’m not sure what we’re going to do right there.”
James is expected to step into the punt return role, even after Kadarius Toney shined Monday night averaging 9.7 yards on six returns in relief of Hardman. Skyy Moore filled in for kick returns but did not make a return.There’s a chance, yeah, there’s a chance. We’re just getting it double checked here but there’s a chance.
