While Kansas City’s offense gets a lot of the fame for its three recent Super Bowl runs, the Chiefs have also now had one of the game’s most talented and consistent defensive weapons at their disposal for nine seasons.
Chris Jones has played in at least 13 regular season games in every season since being drafted by Kansas City in 2016. He’s also recorded five sacks in every season since his rookie campaign, reaching double-digit sacks on three separate occasions.
Jones’ status for the Chiefs’ upcoming Christmas Day matchup against the Steelers, though, is up in the air after a recent injury.
Will Jones be available for the Kansas City defense on Christmas? Here are the latest updates on the defensive tackle’s status for Week 17 against Pittsburgh.
MORE: Why the 2024 NFL Christmas games are on Netflix
Is Chris Jones playing this week? Injury updates on Chiefs DT
Jones left the Chiefs’ 27-19 win over the Texans on Saturday with a calf injury. With the short four-day turnaround to Kansas City’s next matchup against Pittsburgh, the injury has put his Week 17 status in question.
On the Chiefs’ injury report, Jones was listed as a DNP for Sunday’s estimated practice, then listed as questionable for the matchup on Tuesday.
Jones’ official status may not be announced until before game time Wednesday, with kickoff being at 1 p.m. ET. Because Kansas City has already clinched the AFC West, it could be cautious with an injury to its best defender, but the team is also still competing to lock up the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Jones has logged 37 total tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble in 15 games so far this season. If he can’t play, players like Charles Omenihu, Derrick Nnadi, and Tershawn Wharton will likely see more snaps for the Chiefs’ defense vs. Pittsburgh.
MORE NFL WEEK 17:
Chiefs’ 2024 defensive stats
Jones’ individual impact hasn’t been as noticeable on the stat sheet as usual in 2024, but Kansas City’s defense has arguably been more essential to its 14-1 record than its star-studded offense.
Entering Week 17, the Chiefs’ defense ranks:
- 3rd in the NFL in total yards allowed per game (307.2)
- 3rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (91.4)
- 3rd in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.5)
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Chiefs remaining schedule
Kansas City has just one regular season matchup remaining after its Christmas Day game against the Steelers. Then, the Chiefs will embark on another playoff run, looking to bring home a third-straight Super Bowl title.
Here’s how the Chiefs will conclude the regular season:
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 25 | at Steelers | 1 p.m. |
| Jan. 5 | at Broncos | TBD |
Read the full article here