Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 13 injury report, released ahead of their pivotal AFC West matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, has cast uncertainty over the team’s quest to lock up a playoff spot—and potentially the division title—early. With three key starters listed as “questionable” and one rotational player ruled out entirely, the report highlights the physical toll of a long NFL season on a Chiefs roster that has already navigated several injuries in 2025. For Andy Reid’s team, which enters Week 13 with a 9-2 record and a two-game lead in the AFC West, these injuries aren’t just about short-term lineup changes—they’re about preserving depth for a deep playoff run. The report, which includes updates on both offensive and defensive standouts, also offers a glimpse into how the Chiefs might adjust their game plan to compensate for absences, whether by leaning on veteran backups or shifting to more run-heavy formations. Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs thus breaks down the most critical updates, their impact on the Raiders matchup, and what they mean for the Chiefs’ championship aspirations.

The most significant name on the Week 13 injury report is Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ All-Pro tight end, who is listed as questionable with a mild ankle sprain. Kelce suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ Week 12 win over the Denver Broncos, when he was tackled after a 12-yard catch and awkwardly rolled his right ankle. Initial tests ruled out a severe sprain or fracture, but Kelce missed two days of practice early in the week, participating only in limited walkthroughs on Thursday and Friday. For the Chiefs, Kelce’s potential absence is a massive blow: he leads the team in receptions (72), receiving yards (890), and touchdown catches (9), and Patrick Mahomes has targeted him on 28% of his pass attempts this season. Kelce’s ability to line up in the slot, in-line, or out wide also makes him irreplaceable in Reid’s offensive scheme, which relies on his versatility to create mismatches against linebackers and safeties. “Travis is our engine—there’s no way around it,” Reid said in a press conference. “We’ll see how he feels on game day, but we’re preparing like he might not be at 100%. That’s just smart football.” Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs thus frames Kelce’s status as the most critical storyline heading into Sunday’s game.

On the defensive side, the Chiefs’ injury report includes two key players: defensive end George Karlaftis (questionable, hamstring strain) and defensive tackle Chris Jones (limited, elbow soreness). Karlaftis, who has emerged as a pass-rush force with 8 sacks and 4 forced fumbles this season, injured his left hamstring during a practice drill on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday, with trainers monitoring his ability to push off and change direction—critical for an edge rusher who relies on speed to beat offensive tackles. Jones, meanwhile, has been dealing with elbow soreness since Week 10 but has continued to play through it; however, the Chiefs listed him as limited this week to avoid worsening the issue. Jones, a six-time Pro Bowler, remains the heart of the Chiefs’ defensive line, recording 6 sacks and 18 quarterback hits while clogging gaps to stop the run. Together, Karlaftis and Jones have combined for 40% of the Chiefs’ sacks this season—meaning their potential limitations could weaken a pass rush that has been critical to the team’s top-10 defensive ranking. “George and Chris are two of our most important defenders,” said defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. “We’ll manage their reps if they play, but we also have confidence in the guys behind them to step up.” Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs thus underscores how defensive injuries could shift the balance of power in the Raiders matchup.

The Kansas City Chiefs have already begun preparing for potential absences, with Reid and his coaching staff adjusting practice reps to give backups more reps in game-like scenarios. For Kelce, the Chiefs have leaned on backup tight ends Noah Gray and Blake Bell to handle increased snaps. Gray, a fourth-year player, has primarily been a blocking tight end in his career but has shown flashes of receiving ability (18 catches for 165 yards this season), while Bell—a veteran of eight NFL seasons—brings experience in short-yardage and red-zone situations. To compensate for Kelce’s playmaking, the Chiefs have also shifted more reps to wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, practicing more three-wide receiver formations that would allow Mahomes to spread the ball around. “Noah and Blake have been working their tails off, and Kadarius and Skyy are ready for more targets,” Reid said. “We don’t want to change our identity, but we do want to be prepared to win if Travis can’t go. That’s what depth is for.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ focus on preparation isn’t just about the Raiders—it’s about building resilience: if Kelce or other starters miss time later in the season, the backups will already have game reps under their belts. Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs thus highlights how the Chiefs are turning potential adversity into an opportunity to strengthen their roster depth.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive coaching staff has taken a similar approach, giving increased reps to backup defensive ends Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu, and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, in case Karlaftis or Jones are limited. Danna, who has 4 sacks this season, has played primarily in a rotational role but has shown he can handle extended snaps—he recorded 2 sacks in the Chiefs’ Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers when Karlaftis was sidelined with a minor knee injury. Omenihu, a midseason signing, brings size (6’5”, 280 pounds) and pass-rush power, while Nnadi is a proven run-stopper who can fill Jones’ role in short-yardage situations. Spagnuolo has also adjusted the defense’s scheme in practice, adding more blitzes from linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. to compensate for any potential drop-off in pass rush from the defensive line. “We have a lot of talent on this defense—guys who can step up when needed,” Spagnuolo said. “If George or Chris can’t play at full speed, we’ll use our scheme to create pressure in other ways. That’s the beauty of this system—it’s flexible.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ ability to adapt their defensive scheme is a testament to Spagnuolo’s experience, and it could be the difference between winning and losing if key defenders are limited against the Raiders. Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs thus shows how scheme flexibility can mitigate the impact of injuries on defense.

Beyond the Week 13 matchup, the Chiefs’ injury report also carries implications for their long-term success—specifically, how Reid and general manager Brett Veach balance winning now with preserving players for the playoffs. With a two-game lead in the AFC West, the Chiefs could choose to rest Kelce, Karlaftis, or Jones against the Raiders if their injuries are still bothering them, even if it means risking a loss. However, Reid has historically avoided resting starters in division games, viewing them as opportunities to build momentum and send a message to rivals. The Chiefs also have a bye in Week 14, which would give injured players an extra week to recover—making a limited appearance in Week 13 more feasible. “We want to win every game, but we also want our guys healthy for January,” Reid said. “It’s a balance. We’ll talk to the trainers, talk to the players, and make the best decision for the team—short and long term.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, the Week 13 injury report isn’t just about one game—it’s about navigating the final stretch of the regular season with an eye on the Super Bowl. By managing injuries carefully now, they can ensure their best players are available when it matters most. Week 13 Injury Report Released by the Kansas City Chiefs thus concludes by emphasizing that while the report raises short-term concerns, it also reflects the Chiefs’ commitment to playing the long game—something that has made them one of the NFL’s most consistent contenders over the past decade.