Chiefs Officially Rule Out Veteran Starter Ahead of Christmas Game vs. Steelers

The Kansas City Chiefs are continuing their dominant season as they improved to 14-1 on Saturday with their win over the Texans. Now, the Chiefs are one win away from clinching the top seed in the AFC and securing the first-round bye. A win on Christmas against the Steelers would allow Kansas City to rest its key players in the final week of the season and get extra rest for the playoffs.

Considering the brutal schedule the Chiefs have faced in the last few weeks, that will be extremely helpful in their attempts to accomplish a historic three-peat.

The quick turnaround for the Chiefs in Week 17, however, is making things more complicated in terms of injuries. Chris Jones and Jawaan Taylor, who both suffered injuries against Houston, have been listed as questionable for the Christmas game, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Left tackle DJ Humphries has officially been ruled out with his hamstring injury according to the same report.

Chiefs Rule Out DJ Humphries for Steelers Game

This will be the third consecutive missed game for Humphries after the veteran left tackle made his season debut with the Chiefs in Week 14. After starting and playing 60 snaps against the Chargers, Humphries hasn't been able to return from his nagging hamstring injury as he wasn't able to participate in practice this week.

In Humphries' absence, Joe Thuney will likely continue to start at left tackle, and Mike Caliendo will keep his starting job at left guard. Depending on Jawaan Taylor's status for the game, the Chiefs' offensive line could look vastly different against the Steelers. Wanya Morris would presumably get the nod to start in that case.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding injuries to key players, the Chiefs are 2.5-point road favorites in Pittsburgh on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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