KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wide receiver Richie James makes his return to the Chiefs after an eight-game absence, and a familiar foe on the Las Vegas Raiders will play in Sunday’s matchups despite a knee injury.
The return of James was expected after he was a full participant during practice this week and did not appear on the injury report. The Chiefs offense certainly needs reinforcements with both Kadarius Toney (hip/ankle) and Mecole Hardman (thumb) out for Sunday’s Week 12 contest. Toney experienced discomfort in his hip during Friday’s practice, and when the condition did not improve Saturday, the club ruled him out while he undergoes further examination.
The Chiefs complete inactive list against the Raiders:
- WR Kadarius Toney
- RB Jerick McKinnon
- G/C Mike Caliendo
- DE Malik Herring
- DE BJ Thompson
- DT Neil Farrell
Hardman was placed on injured reserve Saturday, therefore does not appear on the inactive list. The Chiefs currently have 52 players on the 53-player roster. McKinnon did not practice Friday due a strained groin and was previously ruled out for today’s game.
The team also elevated from the practice squad receiver Montrell Washington and running back La’Mical Perine. While special teams coordinator Dave Toub this week indicated a preference for James as the punt returner, Toney’s injury may have changed that equation. Washington can also return both punts and kicks, and did so for the Chiefs earlier this season. Perine expects to backup Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire but will likely play a smaller role than McKinnon usually does.
The Raiders will have their best defensive player available with edge rusher Maxx Crosby playing despite a knee injury. Crosby is on pace for a career-season, picking up 10.5 sacks and 65 tackles through 11 games. He earned first-team All-Pro defensive honors last season with 12.5 sacks and 89 tackles.
Crosby also became noteworthy during the offseason when his on-the-field trash-talking with Patrick Mahomes was highlighted in the Netflix series “Quarterback.” After an exchange with Crosby during one of the team’s matchups, Mahomes repeatedly shouted an expletive at the defensive end — a phrase Mahomes recently converted to a more family-friendly version, saying Crosby, “woke up the wrong gentleman.”
The Chiefs have fared better than their AFC West counterparts against Crosby in the past, limiting him to four sacks in eight games. Denver (12.5), Los Angeles Chargers (5.5) have all yielded more sacks to Crosby than Kansas City. But this will be the first time since 2020 that Crosby has faced the Chiefs without Andrew Wylie at right tackle. Wylie and Crosby were teammates at Eastern Michigan, and some of Wylie’s best performances came against his college friend and the Raiders.
The complete inactive list for the Raiders:
- CB Jakorian Bennett
- QB Brian Hoyer
- C Hroniss Grasu
- DT Byron Young
- DT Nesta Jade-Silvera
- LB Amari Burney
- S Roderic Teamer
Grasu was one of the players elevated from the practice squad Saturday but he will not play. The team also elevated defensive end Janarius Robinson.
Teamer was active from injured reserve Saturday and was expected to play. However, he was arrested Sunday morning on DUI charges after he was pulled over for speeding.
