Kansas City, Missouri – December 6, 2025
As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their crucial Week 14 matchup against the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football, they are facing a wave of injury issues that could force a significant reshuffling of their game plan. On Friday, the team confirmed that two important players would be sidelined, while two more starting offensive linemen are now listed as doubtful, potentially leaving Patrick Mahomes with a patched-up offensive line.
Cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace (back) and wide receiver/return specialist Nikko Remigio (shoulder–concussion) have both been ruled out for the game. Remigio’s situation, in particular, is concerning as he was a full participant in practice earlier in the week, only to suffer a concussion during Friday’s session.
The more significant concern, however, lies on the offensive line. Both right guard Trey Smith (ankle) and right tackle Jawaan Taylor (triceps–knee) missed practice all week and are now listed as doubtful. With rookie tackle Josh Simmons already on injured reserve, the Chiefs’ depth along the offensive front is severely tested, leaving Mahomes facing a potential challenge without some of his top protectors.
Despite the injury setbacks, head coach Andy Reid struck a confident tone when discussing how the team would adapt. Known for his calm demeanor in tough situations, Reid maintained his optimism while acknowledging the challenges ahead.
“We might be missing a couple of big fellas up front, but that just means we’ll need to get the ball out of Pat’s hands quicker, get it to the playmakers in red, and let them make things happen before those Texans in white can get to him,” Reid said with a smile. “We’ve been in this situation before. We’ll take the backup plan and turn it into our game plan and get to work.”
Mahomes, who had been dealing with a knee issue earlier in the week, was a full participant in practice and is expected to play without any limitations. Other key players like Rashee Rice, Noah Gray, Isiah Pacheco, and George Karlaftis are all listed as healthy and ready to go.
On the other side of the ball, the Texans have their own injury woes, including several defensive players ruled out, and the status of starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter remains uncertain. However, the Texans’ pass rush is still a significant threat, particularly against a Chiefs offensive line that may be less than full strength.
With the Chiefs fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive in the AFC and the Texans looking to make a statement with a big road win, Sunday night’s game has become even more intriguing. For Kansas City, the strategy is clear:
Survive the injuries, do whatever it takes to protect Mahomes, and as Coach Reid put it — “Go cook.”
