Super Bowl Injury Report: Andy Reid Didn't Have Great News for Chiefs Fans

While it's easy to focus on the glitz and glamour of the Super Bowl, there's still a football game to be played. And that means that injury reports could make a difference come Sunday. No one wants an unfortunate absence to change the game—a championship would ideally be determined by a best-versus-best showdown—but that's simply the reality of pro sports.

And Kansas City Chiefs fans got some less-than-ideal updates on Tuesday. While there looked to be a glimmer of hope around running back Jerick McKinnon, Andy Reid largely shut that down; he also offered a realistic take on lineman Joe Thuney.

So, where does that leave the AFC champs ahead of Super Bowl Sunday? Let's break things down.

Neither McKinnon Nor Thuney Seems Set for Sunday

In the world of sports, there is some precedent for players making a dramatic return in a decisive game; think of Willis Reed's inspirational appearance during the 1970 NBA Finals, for example. And while the Chiefs weren't looking at anything of that scale, it seems like the club will be rolling into the Super Bowl without any new additions.

Last weekend's news that McKinnon's window to return from injured reserve had opened initially seemed like a boost. The veteran shines at catching passes out of the backfield, and even if he wasn't healthy enough to turn in a game-breaking performance, he's still a capable addition to the pass-blocking scheme. Reid, however, provided a dose of reality on Tuesday.

"Jerick is not practicing," Big Red noted. "I tell you: it's slim [odds] for him to be out there."

Speculation has also continued to swirl around Thuney, who injured his pectoral during the AFC Divisional Round meeting with the Buffalo Bills. Given that we haven't had official confirmation regarding the severity of his problem and the stakes of the Super Bowl, some have wondered if the veteran could give it a go.

Reid did not paint an overly rosy picture and noted that there is a downside to rushing Thuney back.

"It's strength," Reid said. "Making sure that he's not in a position to get hurt worse than what he's got. That's what we look at."

As for specific availability, the coach said that Thuney even returning to practice would be "a long shot."

Thuney, for his part, told Ian Rapoport that he was "taking it day by day."

The Chiefs Can Probably Cope With Those Absences

To be clear, no NFL team would be happy about some of their players missing the Super Bowl. But, in this case, the Chiefs are probably well-positioned to keep the ball rolling.

In regard to McKinnon, KC has experience on their side; the veteran running back hasn't played since the middle of December, which gave the game plan time to evolve in his absence. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who is well-acquainted with the club's offense, has stepped up as Isiah Pacheco's backup, and both running backs can catch some passes out of the backfield.

McKinnon's pass blocking will be especially missed against Nick Bosa, but Kansas City did manage to mitigate the Ravens' pass rush with a combination of sturdy protection and quick passes.

And, looking at the bigger picture, no one is going to shed too many tears about a third-down running back; in the big picture, that's a manageable loss.

Thuney, however, is the bigger absence. The Chiefs have seen firsthand how poorly a Super Bowl can go when the offensive line collapses, and their left guard played his way into the 2023 Pro Bowl.

But, as the AFC Championship proved, KC has a capable backup in Nick Allegretti. He may not have the same stature within the game as Thuney, but he has spent five seasons with the Chiefs, winning two Super Bowls. With 74 games of experience across that stretch, he's more than capable of stepping into the breech.

And again, the club is helped by experience in both areas. Neither injury is new, and the backups at both positions have been with the club for several seasons.

Beyond that, the Chiefs also have the ultimate security blanket: Patrick Mahomes. Even if there are some bumps and bruises throughout the roster, No. 15 is usually capable of stepping up to lift those around him.

If he can do that in another Super Bowl, his legacy will only be that much more impressive.