The Kansas City Chiefs head into this upcoming week in a must-win situation against the Indianapolis Colts if they do not want to keep sliding in the AFC playoff race. Ahead of the matchup, all eyes are on the latest injury report to see whether Andy Reid will have his key pieces available.
This updated injury report is truly a mixed bag for the Chiefs. They received extremely positive news at running back, but at the same time are facing new concerns on offense, especially at wide receiver and along the offensive line.
Big positive: Isiah Pacheco returns to practice
The clearest bright spot in this injury report is the return to practice of running back Isiah Pacheco.
Pacheco recovering from MCL injury
Pacheco suffered an MCL sprain in his knee during the win over the Washington Commanders on October 27. Since that moment, the Chiefs have not looked like themselves and have struggled to regain a consistent winning rhythm.
Seeing him back on the practice field is an extremely encouraging sign for the offense, especially with Kansas City struggling to find balance between the run game and the passing game.
Pacheco’s role in the Chiefs offense
Before his injury, Isiah Pacheco was the most effective rushing weapon on the team, with:
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329 rushing yards
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1 rushing touchdown
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An average of 4.2 yards per carry
Beyond the production, Pacheco is regarded as one of the emotional leaders in the locker room. His physical running style, fiery celebrations, willingness to initiate contact and ability to fire up teammates make him a huge source of energy on the field.
His return is not just a tactical boost. It is also a massive emotional lift for the entire Chiefs offense ahead of a high pressure game against the Colts.
Bad news: Xavier Worthy still battling an ankle issue
On the flip side, the Kansas City Chiefs received some unwelcome news regarding Xavier Worthy, one of their key speed threats at wide receiver.
Ankle injury still not fully healed
Worthy appears on the injury report with an ankle issue. Last week, he was also listed, but still tried to play through it in the 19-22 loss to the Denver Broncos.
In reality, his performance against Denver did not meet expectations:
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Only 3 receptions
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Just 25 receiving yards
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Several miscommunications and off-timing moments with Patrick Mahomes
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No targets at all in the fourth quarter
This suggests that either the ankle is still limiting his movement, or the chemistry between Mahomes and Worthy is not where it needs to be, right at the time Kansas City desperately needs big plays in the passing game.
Impact on the Chiefs offense
If Worthy is not at 100 percent before facing the Colts, the Chiefs lose a vertical speed threat that can stretch the field deep. That allows Indianapolis to focus more resources on containing Travis Kelce and locking down the middle of the field, forcing Mahomes to be more patient and settle for short throws.
With the offense already under heavy scrutiny, any limitation in the receiver group can easily make the Chiefs attack feel even more stagnant and predictable.
A blow to the offensive line: Kingsley Suamataia in concussion protocol
Another piece of bad news for the Chiefs is that offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia has been placed in the concussion protocol.
How the injury happened
Suamataia suffered a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet collision on the play where Patrick Mahomes threw an interception in the game against the Broncos. After that heavy hit, he was placed into the league’s concussion protocol and was absent from the latest practice.
Before this injury, Suamataia had:
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Played in every game of the 2025 season
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Transitioned from left tackle to left guard
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Been praised for adapting well and bringing stability to the interior of the offensive line
Losing a rising player like Suamataia right before a physical matchup with the Colts is far from ideal for the Chiefs coaching staff.
Impact on Mahomes’ protection
The offensive line had already faced questions at certain points earlier in the season. Now, with Suamataia at risk of missing the game, several issues arise:
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Stability on the left side of the line will be affected
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Pressure on backup options will increase
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The Colts will have more chances to dial up pressure on Mahomes, especially through blitzes and stunts attacking interior gaps
If the Chiefs do not adjust well, Mahomes could face heavy pressure from the very start, which may completely disrupt the offensive rhythm Andy Reid is trying to establish.
Situation on the Colts’ side: Good news mixed with fresh concerns
The injury report does not only cover the Chiefs. It also includes an update on the Indianapolis Colts roster ahead of this showdown.
Charvarius Ward returns and adds toughness to the Colts defense
A very familiar name for Chiefs fans, cornerback Charvarius Ward, has returned to practice for the Colts after:
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Missing six games due to a concussion
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Being placed on injured reserve (IR)
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Now being activated and cleared to prepare for game action
Ward’s return gives the Colts an experienced cornerback who knows Mahomes and the Chiefs offensive system well, which could be extremely valuable when building their defensive game plan.
Two key Colts defenders miss practice
Alongside the good news about Ward, the Colts also have their own concerns:
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Cornerback Kenny Moore did not practice due to an Achilles injury
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Defensive end Tyquan Lewis also missed practice
This means the Colts defense is not fully healthy either, and this is an area the Chiefs can exploit if they execute properly at the right moments.
Chiefs get Pacheco back but still cannot relax
This updated injury report ahead of the Colts game shows that:
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Good news: Isiah Pacheco’s return is a massive boost both tactically and emotionally for the Chiefs offense.
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Bad news: Xavier Worthy and Kingsley Suamataia are dealing with health issues that raise serious questions about the passing game and Mahomes’ protection.
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On the Colts side: They get Charvarius Ward back, but also lose some key defensive pieces in practice.
Before a game that could directly impact the playoff picture, the Chiefs will need to:
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Maximize Pacheco’s role to restore balance to the offense
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Find ways to compensate for a possibly limited or absent Worthy and Suamataia
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Craft a specific plan to attack a Colts defense that has gained Charvarius Ward but is also banged up in other spots
