Kansas City appears to be getting healthier — although one player’s season ended on Friday.
On Friday, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed was back at practice as it waited to learn its opponent for next weekend’s Divisional round matchup.
Reid also addressed the status of cornerback Jaylen Watson, who was first thought to be lost for the season after suffering a broken ankle during Week 7’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs designated Watson to return from its Reserve/Injured list on January 3, allowing him to resume practicing with his teammates.
Reid was happy with what he’s seen from the third-year pro.
“He worked last week,” the coach reported. “He came out of those workouts and felt good. He worked hard today. We did a lot of one-on-one stuff today — ones vs. ones. So he was able to get in there and work that, and he looked good from what I’ve seen. I haven’t gone back and looked at the tape yet, but it looked like he was moving around pretty good.”
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Reid was also asked about the status of other injured Chiefs.
Star defensive tackle Chris Jones missed the team’s last two regular-season games after suffering a calf injury against the Houston Texans during Week 16. Running back Isiah Pacheco left the team’s Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a rib injury — and was then ruled out of the team’s finale against the Denver Broncos. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor did not play against the Broncos after being listed on the Chiefs’ injury report with a knee injury during the last month — and while safety Chamarri Conner did play in Denver after missing two games in concussion protocol, he left the game with a shoulder injury.
“They all practiced today,” said Reid. “That was a good thing. They were all able to get in there and bang it around a little bit. That was a big plus. They’re all doing well.”
The Chiefs will not issue a formal injury report until their first regular practice next week.
We have placed DT Marlon Tuipulotu on Reserve/Injured. pic.twitter.com/4zlgNbL3MA
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 10, 2025
After practice, the Chiefs announced that defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu has been placed on their Reserve/Injured list, although the reason was not disclosed.
The former Philadelphia Eagles player signed with the Chiefs just before the season began, but was inactive until Week 17, when Jones was sidelined. Tuipulotu started Sunday’s game against the Broncos and was credited with four tackles. Since Kansas City will play no more than three more games, his season now over.
The move gives the team an opening on its 53-man roster — likely to be filled either by Watson or wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who is also working his way back from injured reserve after a knee injury sidelined him last month.