Patrick Mahomes and Multiple Others to Sit vs. Browns

As the Kansas City Chiefs take the field against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday afternoon, they'll be doing so without a few of their high-profile players. Earlier this week, head coach Andy Reid outlined a wait-and-see timeline in regards to his key starters playing at all to close out the team's 2023 preseason slate. A couple of hours in advance of game time, those decisions appear to have been made.

Per James Palmer of NFL Network, quarterback Patrick Mahomes will not play in preseason game No. 3. Joining him in the group of inactive players will be tight end Travis Kelce, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and linebacker Nick Bolton.

Here’s the most action we will see from Patrick Mahomes today. No Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Nick Bolton or MVS today I’m told for the #chiefs against the #browns pic.twitter.com/aPANngCV6V
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 26, 2023

This preseason, Mahomes completed 12 of his 17 pass attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown. Kelce, not playing a ton, hauled in just one pass on two targets for 20 yards. Valdes-Scantling also totaled the same number of targets and yards, linking up with Mahomes for the longest pass play — 21 yards — of either player's preseason. Bolton recorded five tackles in two games against the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals.

Kansas City's injury report is quite extensive. On the offensive side of the ball, backup guard Nick Allegretti continues to deal with a shoulder injury while wideouts Kadarius Toney and Nikko Remigio rehab from respective knee and shoulder ailments of their own. Running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) was ruled a possibility to play for the first time this preseason, per Reid. Defensively, interior lineman Tershawn Wharton (knee) found himself in the same boat. Cornerbacks Nic Jones (hand) and L'Jarius Sneed (knee), as well as defensive linemen Matt Dickerson (toe) and George Karlaftis (illness) didn't practice on Wednesday.

The only other major inactive buzz for the Chiefs is centered around star defensive tackle Chris Jones. The All-Pro is still holding out due to the absence of a long-term contract extension, and he didn't report to the team this week so he'll miss Saturday's game. Now, the focus shifts to the next week-plus as both Jones's camp and the Chiefs work to potentially get a new deal ironed out by the Sept. 7 season opener.

According to Palmer, the Browns are likely to be without running back Nick Chubb, offensive guard Joel Bitonio and defensive lineman Myles Garrett. Others such as quarterback Deshaun Watson and wideouts Elijah Moore and Amari Cooper, however, are expected to play.

Read More: Andy Reid Makes Scary Comment on Chris Jones Situation