KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs began preparation for their Divisional playoff showdown with Buffalo Wednesday without starting defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, who is out with a triceps injury.
Nnadi suffered the injury during Saturday’s Wild Card win over the Miami Dolphins. The term initially described the injury as an elbow issue, and Nnadi was seen on the sideline testing the injury by extending his arm and working on his push with backup offensive lineman Nick Allegretti.
It’s unclear if the injury will keep Nnadi out of Saturday’s game against the Bills. With Nnadi exiting after seven snaps against Miami, Tershawn Wharton played 25 snaps and practice squad defensive tackle Mike Pennel played 15. There is no limit on the number of practice squad elevations, which means the Chiefs can elevate Pennel again this week.
The Chiefs also have available Neil Farrell, who was among the team’s inactive list Saturday, along with Matt Dickerson and Isaiah Buggs on the practice squad.
Kansas City on Wednesday also placed linebacker Cam Jones on injured reserve, ending his season due to a chest injury. Jones played in all 17 regular-season games this season, tallying 17 total tackles. He was a four-phase special teams player with 283 snaps along with 81 more on defense. Most of those snaps came in the season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers in which he led the defense with 12 stops.
Taking his place on the active roster is Cole Christiansen, a fourth-year player who initially joined the Chiefs in September 2022 on the practice squad. He’s played in 13 NFL regular-season games over the past four seasons including six with the Chiefs and seven with the Chargers. He’s totaled four special teams tackles during that time.
Moore Back at Practice
The Chiefs on Wednesday also designated wide receiver Skyy Moore for return from injured reserve, opening up a 21-day window in which he can practice with the club before being returned to the active roster.
Moore played 16 snaps against the New England Patriots in Week 15 before leaving the game with inflammation in his knee. Moore was limited on Wednesday, and if history is any indicator, there’s a better chance of Moore returning next week in the event the Chiefs advance to the AFC Championship game.
Other Roster Moves
The Chiefs made three other signings on Wednesday, including officially signing safety Trey Dean to the practice squad. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Dean initially signed with the New York Jets in May as an undrafted free agent from Florida. When the Jets’ season came to an end during the regular season, Dean’s practice squad contract expired, allowing him to sign with any club. Dean reportedly chose the Chiefs over other playoff teams vying for his services.
The club also signed two players to reserve future deals. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph, who was a 2021 second-round choice for Dallas, signed with the Chiefs after finishing the season with Seattle. Joseph has played in 31 NFL games over three seasons with the Cowboys and Seahawks, tallying 39 tackles with four passes broken up and a forced fumble.
Wide receiver Shi Smith, a 2021 sixth-round selection from South Carolina by Carolina also signed with Kansas City. Smith played in 23 games for the Panthers with six starts, hauling in 28 receptions for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Smith spent most of the 2023 campaign on the Tennessee Titans practice squad.
Chiefs Injury Report
Did not practice: DT Derrick Nnadi (tricep)
Limited participation: CB L’Jarius Sneed (calf), WR Kadarius Toney (hip/ankle), WR Justyn Ross (hamstring) and WR Skyy Moore (knee/injured reserve)
Full participation: TE Noah Gray (rib), LT Donovan Smith (neck), OT Wanya Morris (concussion), WR Rashee Rice (hamstring), WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (oblique), LB Nick Bolton (wrist), DE Charles Omenihu (hamstring) and S Deon Bush (elbow)
Bills Injury Report
Did not practice: WR Gabe Davis (knee), LB Terrel Bernard (ankle), S Taylor Rapp (calf), LB Baylon Spector (back), CB Christian Benford (knee), P Sam Martin (left hamstring), OLB Von Miller (vet rest) and DE Leonard Floyd (vet rest)
Limited participation: LB Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) and CB Taron Johnson (concussion)
Full participation: QB Josh Allen (neck) and S Micah Hyde (neck)
