Chiefs Defender Now Likely to Miss Week 10 Game After Thursday's News
By Jovan Alford
The undefeated Kansas City Chiefs will be without one of their key defenders for Sunday’s AFC West clash against the Denver Broncos.
According to Chiefs Senior Team Reporter Matt McMullen, wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton won’t practice on Thursday. Smith-Schuster is dealing with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Wharton has been hampered by a knee contusion.
JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) and Tershawn Wharton (knee contusion) won’t practice for the Chiefs today.
— Matt McMullen (@KCChiefs_Matt) November 7, 2024
The 26-year-old defensive lineman reportedly missed practice on Wednesday, which wasn’t a good sign to start the week. Wharton isn’t the only player on the defensive line that Kansas City is worried about as George Karlaftis popped up on the injury report with an abdomen injury.
The Chiefs will await to see what’s the latest on the young pass rusher. As for Wharton, he’s given Kansas City quality snaps at defensive tackle.
The University City, Missouri native has appeared in all eight games for KC this season, playing a career-high 72 percent of defensive snaps. Wharton has produced 15 combined tackles, 12 quarterback pressures, four quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
Without Wharton likely out for Sunday’s game against the Broncos, Mike Pennel Jr. and Marlon Tuipulotu could see an increase in snaps. Pennel Jr. has played 16 snaps in the Chiefs’ last two games.
The 33-year-old defensive lineman has posted nine combined tackles, two quarterback hits, two sacks, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble in eight games (five starts). Meanwhile, Tuipulotu has yet to appear in a regular-season game with the Chiefs after they signed him to the active roster in September.
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