The Kansas City Chiefs will play their final preseason game when they host the Chicago Bears on Friday night, and they will be treating it as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming season. With the opener against the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil coming on Sept. 5, the Chiefs are making sure that they’re in peak form as head coach Andy Reid said his starters will play in Friday’s game.
While it’s unknown how long the starters will play, other players will be putting their best foot forward as they look to win a spot on the roster. Unfortunately, Reid announced that seven players will be watching the game from the sidelines as they recover from injuries.
Andy Reid says players who won’t go against Chicago are: WR Jalen Royals, TR Jake Briningstool, OT Ethan Driskell, LB Jack Cochrane, S Mike Edwards, CB Nazeeh Johnson and DT Omarr Norman-Lott.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 20, 2025
Chiefs WR Jalen Royals Among 7 Players Out vs. Bears
According to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick, Reid confirmed the seven players who will miss the final preseason game against the Bears. The list includes wide receiver Jalen Royals, tight end Jake Briningstool, offensive tackle Ethan Driskell, linebacker Jack Cochrane, safety Mike Edwards, cornerback Nazeeh Johnson, and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott.
Royals is one of the most notable names on the list after making several key plays at Chiefs camp. The fourth-round draft pick likely has a roster spot locked up, but it could hold him back as he looks to have a big role early in the season. Norman-Lott is another fellow rookie who could have used the reps as the second-round pick pushes for a bigger role behind Mike Pennel.
Briningstool was a UDFA signing out of Clemson who has been held back by injuries for most of the offseason program. Cochrane was also pushing for a spot before injuring his knee in the second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Johnson was also hurt in last week’s game against Seattle, suffering a shoulder injury late in the first half.
While it leaves the Chiefs shorthanded, Kansas City should have no problem getting ready for its final regular-season tune-up on Friday night.