Injury analysis for Texans-Chiefs Divisional matchup

Both clubs are in a very different position from when they met less than a month ago.

The Kansas City Chiefs begin the postseason in a position that every NFL team covets —healthy. The Chiefs will enter the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs in a matchup against the No. 4 seed Houston Texans, and Kansas City is as healthy as it has been since the preseason in August.

It’s been a long and trying road for the Chiefs to get to this point, as they have dealt with more major injuries to key players than at any other point in the Patrick Mahomes era. The rebirth of a deep passing attack never quite came to fruition due to multiple injuries to the retooled wide receiver room, and, at times, it was frustrating to watch the team barely win ball games.

Despite the injury struggles and an early season bye week in October, the Chiefs persevered and finished the regular season with a franchise-best 15-2 record.

Chiefs’ injury outlook

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The Chiefs enter the postseason after last playing meaningful football on Christmas Day. After resting their starters in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos, they will have a full 23 days of rest before facing the Texans.

According to this week’s initial injury report, the Chiefs are indeed getting healthy at the right time. While the injury report is lengthy, everyone participated fully in practice except for wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who remains on injured reserve.

Players who benefited from the extra time include defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf strain), quarterback Patrick Mahomes (high-ankle sprain), running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) and tight end Travis Kelce (rest).

Jones was injured in the Week 16 game against the Texans, suffering a calf strain, and was held out in Weeks 17 and 18. While soft tissue strains can certainly linger and become re-aggravated, he will have had four full weeks of rest and rehab under his belt for the divisional rematch. Likewise, Mahomes suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 15 but did not miss any time in Weeks 16 and 17. While Mahomes has proven that he can play through this injury in his postseason career, the time away from the field will allow him to be closer to 100% physically.

Pacheco, who fought his way back from a fractured fibula Week 2, never quite looked the same since returning in late November. Listed with a rib injury in Week 18, he will have more time to recuperate to form a two-headed rushing attack with running back Kareem Hunt in the postseason. Finally, Kelce proved what time off at the end of the season can mean for him last season when he had 32 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns in the postseason.

Perhaps the best news entering the Divisional Playoffs is the optimism surrounding cornerback Jaylen Watson. Watson suffered a fractured fibula and tibia in Week 7 and returned to practice in the lead-up to Week 18.

Initially thought to be a season-ending injury, which would align with the nature of the injury, Watson seemingly has the possibility of returning to the defense this week. Depending on the fracture’s location, this could be up to a six-month recovery.

Watson’s return would be a welcome addition to the defense. Although the pass defense was a strong unit throughout the season, it declined when Watson was injured. If the Chiefs make it to the AFC Championship against either the Buffalo Bills or Baltimore Ravens, a strong secondary will be essential to the team’s success.

Texans’ injury outlook

The Texans are coming off a dominant victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. While they did rest starters in Week 18, they have not had the extended rest period the Chiefs were afforded.

Several key contributors are banged up entering the matchup, including the leader of their defense, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (knee). Veteran guard Shaq Mason (knee) also did not participate in the initial practice, along with starting wide receiver Robert Woods (hip), while defensive end Denico Autry (knee) was limited.

The rest of the week will determine the availability of each of these players for Saturday. However, the toll of an NFL season will be felt more heavily on the Texans’ sideline than the Chiefs.

Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Along with the players listed on the injury report, the team is far from perfect health, especially in their receiver room. Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs was injured in the middle of the regular season (suffering a torn ACL), while wide receiver Tank Dell sustained a significant knee injury in Week 16 against the Chiefs.

While the Texans still have wide receiver Nico Collins, their passing attack had sputtered to the end of the regular season.

The bottom line

While NFL media and fans debate the Chiefs’ readiness to play, given their extended rest, this was really the only logical method as they attempted to make their mark on NFL history. Entering the postseason with a key player potentially returning and no new significant injuries gives them their best chance at repeating as champions.

The playoffs often come down to two factors:

• Which team is healthiest?
• Who is playing their best football?

The Chiefs certainly have the edge on the injury front. History tells us they know how to play their best football in January.