Jerick McKinnon Injury News: Chiefs Open Practice Window; Could He Play in Super Bowl LVIII?
The Kansas City Chiefs opened the practice window for veteran running back Jerick McKinnon on Saturday, giving McKinnon a chance to play in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers next Sunday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
McKinnon was placed on Injured Reserve on December 24, making his last appearance in a Chiefs uniform on December 17 against the New England Patriots. On January 10, Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest reported that McKinnon underwent "successful surgery on Jan. 2 for a core muscle injury and a fractured pelvis."
Now, just over a month later, McKinnon could potentially return for the Super Bowl on February 11.
Opinion: How likely is McKinnon's return for the Super Bowl?
Without any additional information on McKinnon's injury timeline, here's what we know: Typically, an IR activation opens a 21-day practice window which gives the team and player three weeks to get up to speed before the player is either activated to the 53-man roster or returns to IR for the rest of the year. Typically, the Chiefs don't rush a player back on the shorter end of the 21-day window. But typically, this doesn't happen the week before the Super Bowl.
McKinnon is a veteran in the Chiefs' offense, and the Chiefs' current third running back, La'Mical Perine, has played just four offensive snaps in the playoffs, all coming against the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round. If McKinnon could return as a passing-situation back, where he excels as a route-runner and pass-protector, his return would be welcomed into the Chiefs' offense. However, if McKinnon could have returned earlier, I'm sure the Chiefs would have preferred the longer runway.
If McKinnon has even a chance of suiting up, there's no harm in opening the practice window with only eight days left in your season. But just one month removed from surgery and with only a few days of pre-Super Bowl practice, it's too soon to assume McKinnon will be available on Sunday. If he can return, it will be an amazing recovery timeline and the Chiefs would certainly be glad to have him back.
