The Chiefs added defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to their list of inactive against the New York Jets on Sunday, joining right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and wide receiver Sammy Watkins.
Other inactives for the Chiefs are running back DeAndre Washington, tight end Ricky Seals-Jones, defensive end Demone Harris and linebacker Darius Harris.
The Chiefs also elevated offensive guard Danny Isidora and wide receiver Marcus Kemp from the practice squad for the game. The club also activated defensive end Mike Danna from injured reserve on Saturday, and he will play against the Jets.
Watkins (hamstring) will miss his third-straight game while Schwart (back) is sidelined for his second game. But Saunders is a bit of a surprise after playing 15 snaps in Week 7 at Denver.
Saunders missed five games with a dislocated elbow before returning from injured reserve last week. He wore a compression sleeve on his left arm where he sustained the dislocation.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Thursday said he wasn’t sure if Saunders was completely recovered from the injury yet.
“I haven’t really asked him that question, if he feels like he’s a 100 percent yet,” Spagnuolo said. “It usually takes a little while with that kind of injury. You got to get your feet wet a little bit and get in the game.”
Head coach Andy Reid this week said Watkins and Schwartz were making progress but it’s not clear if the duo will return next week when the Chiefs host the Carolina Panthers in Week 9. The club has a bye week following that game, which would provide both players additional rest before returning to the lineup.
