KC Chiefs Make Final Roster Moves Before AFC Championship Game
The Kansas City Chiefs made their final round of roster moves before the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens, and the biggest news is another late-week scratch for one of the team's up-and-down wide receivers.
Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney was ruled out on Saturday with an updated injury designation: "personal/hip." Various injuries have kept Toney off the field since the team's December 17 game against the New England Patriots. With just the hip injury designation, Toney was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice before being limited on Thursday and Friday. He was originally listed as questionable on Friday afternoon.
Toney ended the regular season with 27 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown, in addition to 11 carries for 31 yards. His season was marred by drops, penalties and injuries.
Saturday evening, James Palmer of NFL Network tweeted that Toney’s personal designation was due to the birth of his first child on Saturday night. Palmer wrote that Toney is “also dealing with a hip injury that is keeping him out tomorrow.”
The Chiefs also made two practice squad elevations on Saturday, calling up defensive tackle Mike Pennel and cornerback Keith Taylor. Pennel played in three regular-season games and both playoff games for the Chiefs, culminating in a 40-snap performance against the Buffalo Bills in the absence of defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, who did not play in Buffalo and was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Pennel played 52% of the defensive snaps against the Bills without Nnadi. Fellow defensive tackle Matt Dickerson played an additional 16 snaps in Buffalo but was not elevated on Saturday, meaning that the Chiefs will play Sunday's game with three or four true defensive tackles: Chris Jones, Tershawn Wharton, Pennel, and the rarely-activated Neil Farrell.
Taylor was also elevated against the Bills, but he did not play a snap.
The Chiefs will now officially be without Toney, Nnadi (IR), starting left guard Joe Thuney, wide receiver Skyy Moore (IR) and offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho (IR) on Sunday.
Running back Isiah Pacheco, linebacker Willie Gay and safety Mike Edwards were all ruled questionable on Friday.
