Bengals vs. Chiefs — the AFC Championship Game matchup for the second time in as many years — could be a war of attrition. Both teams have injuries at key positions. Who’s available? Who’s not? Here are the biggest takeaways from the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs first injury report of the week.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report
Bengals Injury Report
Did Not Practice
G Alex Cappa (Ankle)
DT D.J. Reader (Rest)
OT Jonah Williams (Knee)
Limited Participation
LB Joe Bachie (Foot)
CB Tre Flowers (Hamstring)
DE Sam Hubbard (Rest)
Full Participation
C Ted Karras (Knee)
The Bengals’ majority-backup offensive line did an excellent job against the Buffalo Bills, rushing for 172 yards and allowing just three quarterback hits in 43 Joe Burrow dropbacks.
That’s the good news. The bad? That same group might have to do it again this week.
Right guard Alex Cappa (ankle) and left tackle Jonah Williams (kneecap) again sat out practice Wednesday, raising concerns that they’re still at least another week off.
If that’s the case, Max Scharping is again in line to start for Cappa and Jackson Carman the same for Williams. Their injuries could again leave the Bengals without three starting offensive linemen. Right tackle La’El Collins is out for the season with a torn ACL. Hakeem Adeniji presumably will again start in his place.
Chiefs Injury Report
Limited Participation
WR Mecole Hardman (Pelvis)
Full Participation
LB Willie Gay (Toe)
QB Patrick Mahomes (Ankle)
RB Jerick McKinnon (Ankle)
The question isn’t whether quarterback Patrick Mahomes will play Sunday. Barring a significant setback, he will.
Rather, the question is how effective Mahomes will be. He might not know until kickoff. But how the ankle responds in practice this week will help Andy Reid determine what plays Mahomes will be able to execute and which ones Kansas City should avoid.
“It’s doing good,” Mahomes said Wednesday. “A few days of treatment, a few days of rehab. I decided to get on the practice field and test it out, see where I’m at. It’s feeling good so far.”
More good news for Kansas City — Mahomes might have the services of wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who hasn’t played since Week 9 with a pelvis injury.
“He feels better than he did the last couple weeks,” Reid said Wednesday. “So, that move looked like it worked to this point. And then, again, we’ll just see how he does every day here. He seems to be in a good place.