The list of available players for the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs is coming into focus. Both teams have issues at key positions. Who’s available? Who’s not? Here are the biggest takeaways from the Bengals vs. Chiefs second injury report of the week.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report
Bengals Injury Report: Thursday
Did Not Practice
G Alex Cappa (Ankle)
OT Jonah Williams (Knee)
Limited Participation
LB Joe Bachie (Foot)
TE Hayden Hurst (Calf)
Full Participation
CB Tre Flowers (Hamstring)
DE Sam Hubbard (Rest)
C Ted Karras (Knee)
DT D.J. Reader (Rest)
Tight end Hayden Hurst either suffered or aggravated a calf injury at some point in the past 24 hours. The issue was significant enough that it limited Hurst’s participation in practice Thursday.
Hurst was a full participant Wednesday with no listed injury. That changed Thursday.
Hurst, who missed three games with a calf injury in December, has been a big part of the Bengals’ offensive output this postseason, catching nine passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in their two playoff games.
Meanwhile, Bengals linemen Alex Cappa and Jonah Williams look increasingly unlikely to play with significant issues.
That’s the bad news for the Bengals. The good?
Tre Flowers’ gimpy hamstring is making real progress, so much so that the Bengals could have their fifth-year cornerback available for defensive snaps against the Chiefs.
Flowers has been relegated to mostly special teams since hurting the hamstring midway through the season and didn’t even dress in the Divisional Round.
One other change Thursday to the Bengals’ injury report: Defensive tackle D.J. Reader was a full participant after getting a rest day Wednesday.
Chiefs Injury Report: Thursday
Limited Participation
WR Mecole Hardman (Pelvis)
Full Participation
LB Willie Gay (Toe)
QB Patrick Mahomes (Ankle)
RB Jerick McKinnon (Ankle)
There were no changes to the Chiefs’ injury report from Wednesday to Thursday. The only availability concern on Kansas City’s roster is wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who remains limited with a pelvis injury.
MORE: How the Cincinnati Bengals Hold Clear Advantages Over Kansas City Chiefs
All other Chiefs players were full participants. That includes quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has taken every snap in practice this week despite suffering a high ankle sprain in Saturday night’s Divisional Round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Chiefs have every confidence that Mahomes will play. How well he plays on one and a half legs remains to be seen. His great ability to improvise will inevitably be affected by the injury.