Thumbs Up: Chiefs Get Good News on Final Injury Report

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City saw two important starters pop up on its injury report this week, but the Chiefs averted the worst-case scenario.

Instead, head coach Andy Reid on Friday deemed sacks-leader George Karlaftis (thumb) and catalyst wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle) good to play when the Chiefs (5-4) visit Denver (8-2) on Sunday (3:25 p.m. CT, CBS/KCTV, Channel 5, 96.5 The Fan).

Neither player received an injury status on the Chiefs’ final injury report.

“Yeah, George did a nice job,” Reid said after Friday’s practice. “So, yeah, good.”

Both injuries were concerning because Denver left tackle Garrett Bolles (376) leads the league in pass-block snaps without allowing a sack. The Chiefs need their pass rush at full strength.

The All-Wall Team Entering Week 11

Most pass block snaps without allowing a sack this season, per @NextGenStats

LT – Garett Bolles, Broncos (376)
LG – Quenton Nelson, Colts (356)
C – Luke Wattenberg, Broncos (376)
RG – Chris Lindstrom, Falcons (318)
RT – Zach Tom, Packers…
— Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) November 13, 2025

And when the Chiefs have the ball, Worthy’s presence is significant because Denver leads the NFL with 46 sacks and ranks sixth against the pass, allowing just 179.5 passing yards per game.

“Xavier I know was on that list,” said Reid, “and he's had an ankle that he just tweaked it a little bit. But he was good, good to go. He did everything today. No problem.”

xavier worth — Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) avoids a tackle by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) during the third quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Offensive tackles good to go, too

Both Worthy and Karlaftis were full participation at Friday’s practice, as were offensive tackles Josh Simmons (personal) and Jawaan Taylor (knee/ankle). Reid said there’s a chance Simmons could start after returning to the team during the bye week, having missed the past four games. Taylor, meanwhile, is an important player against Denver’s ferocious pass rush.

Running back Isiah Pacheco, who sustained an MCL injury Oct. 27 in the win over Washington, will miss a second straight game. Kareem Hunt is again expected to start.

Denver update

The Broncos also will be missing their starting running back. J.K. Dobbins, who ranks fifth in the league with 772 rushing yards and averages an impressive 5.0 yards per carry, was one of five Denver players declared out. Dobbins injured his foot in the team’s Week 10 win over Las Vegas.

Also out Sunday are Broncos starters Pat Surtain, the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and Alex Singleton, who announced this week he underwent surgery to treat testicular cancer. Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring) and tight end Nate Adkins (knee) also will sit out Sunday.

The Broncos will, however, return wide receiver Marvin Mims (concussion).

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