Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for a critical Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers—one that could lock up the AFC’s top seed—the team received unwelcome news on Wednesday: starting cornerback Trent McDuffie has been listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. The injury, sustained during the Chiefs’ 24–21 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, adds to a growing list of concerns in Kansas City’s secondary, which already saw L’Jarius Sneed leave last week’s game with a shoulder sprain (he’s now day-to-day). McDuffie, a second-year standout known for his physical coverage and run support, has been a linchpin of the Chiefs’ defense all season, and his potential absence would force the team to rely on unproven backups against a Chargers offense featuring wide receiver Keenan Allen. For a Chiefs team already grappling with an urgent mood after the Broncos defeat, McDuffie’s questionable status raises the stakes even higher. Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs is a story of injury uncertainty colliding with playoff urgency, as the team navigates a critical position void.

McDuffie’s shoulder injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, during a play that encapsulates his impact on the defense. The Broncos had called a screen pass to running back J.K. Dobbins, and McDuffie—who had already recorded five tackles and a pass breakup—dived to make a tackle, colliding with Dobbins and a Chiefs linebacker simultaneously. He stayed on the turf for a minute, clutching his left shoulder, before walking off the field with trainers. He returned to the game later in the quarter but was limited to zone coverage snaps, avoiding physical man-to-man matchups—a clear sign he was playing through pain. Post-game tests revealed a mild AC joint sprain, similar to the injury that sidelined Sneed earlier this season. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described the injury as “day-to-day” on Monday, but McDuffie’s limited participation in Wednesday’s practice (he only did individual drills and sat out team work) led to the questionable designation. Before the injury, McDuffie was having a career year: he’s recorded 68 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions, and ranks among the top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL in coverage grade (per Pro Football Focus). His ability to shut down opposing No. 2 wide receivers has allowed Sneed to focus on No. 1s, creating a dynamic one-two punch in the secondary. Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs underscores how much the team relies on his consistency—especially at a time when their secondary depth is already thin.

The Chiefs’ concern over McDuffie’s status stems from a simple reality: they don’t have a proven replacement if he can’t play. The team’s top backup cornerback is Damarri Mathis, who struggled mightily in the Broncos game after Sneed left, allowing 7 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Mathis, a third-year player, has shown flashes of competence but lacks McDuffie’s physicality and ability to handle elite receivers—something he’d be forced to do against Allen, who has 89 catches for 973 yards this season. Behind Mathis, the options are even more untested: rookie seventh-round pick Ja’Quan McMillian has played mostly nickel corner and has never started an NFL game at outside corner, while practice squad call-up Josh Jackson has just 10 career tackles. This depth crisis is why the Chiefs have been cautious with McDuffie’s recovery: rushing him back could worsen the injury, leaving them without a key defender for the playoffs, but keeping him out could cost them the top seed against the Chargers. The team has also explored contingency plans, including shifting safety Bryan Cook to cornerback in certain packages—a move that would weaken their safety depth but provide more experience on the perimeter. Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs highlights the team’s balancing act: prioritizing McDuffie’s long-term health while preparing for a game that could shape their playoff path.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ practice schedule this week has been tailored to McDuffie’s recovery, with trainers focusing on reducing inflammation and building strength in his shoulder. On Wednesday, he participated in light individual drills—working on backpedaling and hand placement—but sat out 11-on-11 team drills, where physical contact is more likely. On Thursday, he took a step forward, joining some 7-on-7 drills (without tackling) and making a few routine coverage plays. Reid emphasized that the team will “err on the side of caution” with McDuffie, but also noted that “we need him if he’s ready.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ medical staff is using a combination of cryotherapy, ultrasound, and gentle strength exercises to speed his recovery, and they’ll conduct a final evaluation on Friday to determine his availability for Sunday. In the meantime, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been rotating Mathis and McMillian in McDuffie’s spot during practice, running through different coverage schemes to see which works best. “We have to be ready for both scenarios—Trent playing or not,” Spagnuolo said. “That’s part of being a playoff team: adapting to adversity.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ preparation reflects their urgent mood after the Broncos loss—they can’t afford to be caught off guard, whether McDuffie plays or not. Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs is a test of the team’s adaptability, as they prepare for every possible outcome.

If McDuffie can’t play against the Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs will be forced to make significant adjustments to their defensive game plan—starting with how they handle Allen. Instead of assigning McDuffie to cover Allen one-on-one (a matchup he’s won in their previous two meetings), the Chiefs would likely use a combination of Mathis and zone coverage, with safety Justin Reid providing over-the-top help. This approach would limit Allen’s big-play ability but could leave other Chargers receivers—like rookie Quentin Johnston—open for short and intermediate gains. The Kansas City Chiefs would also likely blitz more frequently, using pressure to force Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert into quick throws before receivers can get open. This strategy carries risks: more blitzes mean fewer defenders in coverage, and Herbert has shown he can exploit mismatches if given time. However, it’s a risk the Chiefs may have to take if their cornerback depth is compromised. Offensively, the Kansas City Chiefs could also help by controlling the clock with their running game, limiting the number of snaps the Chargers’ offense gets. Running back Isiah Pacheco has rushed for over 100 yards in two of his last three games, and increasing his workload would take pressure off the defense. Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs is a reminder that football is a team sport—other units will need to step up if one key player is sidelined.

Looking ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs’ handling of McDuffie’s injury will have ripple effects beyond the Chargers game. If he plays and performs well, it will ease concerns about the secondary heading into the playoffs. If he sits and the Chiefs still win, it will build confidence in their depth. But if he sits and the Chiefs lose—dropping them to the AFC’s second seed—it could create momentum issues heading into the postseason. For McDuffie himself, the decision to play will be personal: he’s a competitor who wants to help his team, but he also understands the importance of staying healthy for the playoffs. “I’ll do whatever the trainers tell me is safe,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “This team has a chance to win a Super Bowl, and I don’t want to be the reason we fall short—whether that’s playing through pain or sitting out to get better.” The Kansas City Chiefs’ organization has a history of making smart injury decisions, and their choice with McDuffie will reflect that. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Trent McDuffie’s shoulder injury has added another layer of drama to a week that was already critical for the Chiefs. Trent McDuffie Questionable with Shoulder for the Kansas City Chiefs is ultimately a story of trust—between McDuffie and the team, between the coaches and the players, and between the organization and its fans—that the right decision will be made to put the Chiefs in the best position to win.