Week 17 gets an early start as the NFL gets set to showcase a pair of games on Christmas Day on Netflix. The action starts at 1 p.m. ET with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs playing on Christmas for the second year in a row, as they travel to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here’s the latest injury news for the Chiefs and the Steelers.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives
Kansas City Chiefs Inactives
- S Chamarri Conner
- OT Ethan Driskell
- OG C.J. Hanson
- DE Malik Herring
- OT D.J. Humphries
- DT Chris Jones
- DE Joshua Uche
Pittsburgh Steelers Inactives
- QB Justin Fields
- DE Dean Lowry
- CB Joey Porter
- WR Ben Skowronek
- LB Preston Smith
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
The Chiefs initially listed defensive tackle Chris Jones as questionable to play with a calf injury suffered this past Saturday against the Houston Texans, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he’s unlikely to play against the Steelers.
The short week made it tough for Jones to get back in time. He should be good to go for Week 18, but a Chiefs win on Wednesday clinches the No. 1 seed and would allow Kansas City to rest players going into the playoffs.
Offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor is also listed as questionable with a knee injury. He was also hurt against the Texans and was limited in practice all week. If he can’t play, Wanya Morris will likely get the start at right tackle.
For the Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. injured his knee in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday and did not return. Porter did not practice during the short week and was ruled out. The good news for the Steelers is they do get Donte Jackson back.
The only other Pittsburgh players with game designations are wide receiver Ben Skowronek, who is out with a hip injury, and quarterback Justin Fields, who is questionable with an abdominal injury.
Chiefs’ Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Chiefs based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes
- Running back: Isiah Pacheco
- Wide receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown
- Tight end: Travis Kelce
- Left tackle: Joe Thuney
- Left guard: Mike Caliendo
- Center: Creed Humphrey
- Right guard: Trey Smith
- Right tackle: Jawaan Taylor
- Defensive ends: George Karlaftis, Mike Danna
- Defensive tackles: Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi
- Middle linebacker: Nick Bolton
- Strongwide linebacker: Leo Chenal
- Weakside linebacker: Drue Tranquill
- Cornerbacks: Joshua Williams, Trent McDuffie
- Safeties: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook
- Kicker: Harrison Butker
- Punter: Matt Araiza
- Long snapper: James Winchester
- Kick returner: Samaje Perine
- Punt returner: Nikko Remigio
Steelers’ Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Steelers based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Russell Wilson
- Running back: Najee Harris
- Wide receiver: George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Mike Williams
- Tight end: Pat Freiermuth
- Left tackle: Dan Moore Jr.
- Left guard: Isaac Seumalo
- Center: Zach Frazier
- Right guard: Mason McCormick
- Right tackle: Broderick Jones
- Defensive end: Larry Ogunjobi
- Defensive tackles: Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton
- Inside linebackers: Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts
- Outside linebackers: T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith
- Cornerbacks: Cameron Sutton, Donte Jackson
- Safeties: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott
- Kicker: Chris Boswell
- Punter: Corliss Waitman
- Long snapper: Christian Kuntz
- Kick returner: Cordarrelle Patterson
- Punt returner: Calvin Austin III