KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the Chiefs started on-field preparations on Wednesday ahead of their visit to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night, they did so without wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the field.
Despite the array of illnesses and injuries afflicting his receivers group, head coach Andy Reid professes no worries.
“We’re good, you know we’re good,” Reid said before practice on Wednesday. “We’ve got a couple of other guys, you’ve seen (Marcus) Kemp up a few weeks. Not this past game but the two before that. We know he can do it. We’re fine there.”
Smith-Schuster remains in the concussion protocol while Hardman continues battling an abdominal illness that kept him out of Sunday’s win against Jacksonville. Valdes-Scantling was also out Wednesday due to an illness.
The Chiefs practice Wednesday with active receivers Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. The club also carries four receivers on the practice squad — Kemp, Cornell Powell, Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Jerrion Ealy, the latter of whom returned to the field this week after a six-game suspension for violation of the league’s policy on performing-enhancing substances.
The club hopes to have Valdes-Scantling back before this weekend but the outlook remains less clear for Hardman and particularly Smith-Schuster. Reid says the team will take it slowly with his recovery from the concussion.
“You take it day-by-day,” Reid said. “We’ll be cautious with it. We’re not going to do anything that you shouldn’t do according to what the data shows and how he feels.”
Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee) and running back Jerick McKinnon (hamstring/shoulder) were limited participants in Wednesday’s light indoor workout. Sneed was also a limited participant last Thursday when the club moved practice to the indoor facility, which has a harder artificial turf field. The club often limits players working indoors when dealing with lowe leg injuries.
Right tackle Andrew Wylie, who left Sunday’s game with an elbow injury, was a full participant on Wednesday wearing a brace on his injured right elbow. He’s expected to play this weekend after getting positive results on his MRI Monday.
Running back Isiah Pacheco (quad) was a full participant.
The Chargers are also dealing with injuries in their wide receiver group with starters Keenan Allen (hamstring), Mike Williams (ankle) and DeAndre Carter (ribs) all limited on Wednesday. Allen and Williams did not play in the team’s 22-16 loss to the 49ers on Sunday. Head coach Brandon Staley remains uncertain of whether Allen or Williams will play this weekend.
“It’s only Wednesday, but you will see them practice this week,” Staley told reporters. “I think we’re just going to build them up as we go and I think we’ll be able to tell you a lot more as the week goes on. Friday, I will probably have a lot better report.”
Chiefs injury report
Did not practice: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion), WR Mecole Hardman (abdomen/illness), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (illness) and CB Chris Lammons (concussion)
Limited participation: CB L’Jarius Sneed (knee) and RB Jerick McKinnon (hamstring/shoulder)
Full participation: RT Andrew Wylie (elbow) and RB Isiah Pacheco (quad)
Chargers injury report
Did not practice: K Dustin Hopkins (right hamstring), OLB Khalil Mack (not injury related/rest) and P JK Scott (illness)
Limited participation: WR Keenan Allen (hamstring), WR Mike Williams (ankle), WR DeAndre Carter (ribs), TE Gerald Everett (groin), RT Trey Pipkins III (knee) and OLB Chris Rumph II (knee)
Full participation:
