The Kansas City Chiefs have no shortage of injury concerns heading into Week 16's matchup against the Tennessee Titans. This opens the door for several surprise or struggling contributors to step into larger roles and begin to make their case for 2026 relevance.
Included in this is rookie corner Nohl Williams, who appears likely to have increased snaps based on the injury to Trent McDuffie. According to A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, McDuffie missed Kansas City's last practice this week with a knee injury. The star corner was far from alone, with Rashee Rice, Tyquan Thornton, Jawaan Taylor, Leo Chenal, and Jaylon Moore all sidelined as well.
For McDuffie, it should be time to shut the corner down based on the injury risks to a player who is going to factor into your future. Whether this is an extension or trade is yet to be determined, but regardless, it is clear that McDuffie is an important piece that should be protected in the season's final weeks.
This opens up an opportunity for Williams to step in and reclaim some of the early-season momentum that has been slipping away over the final stretch of the season. Williams has struggled and looked the part of a rookie, leaving questions as to whether or not the defensive back truly will factor into Kansas City's plans.
Chiefs Rookie CB Nohl Williams Given Clear Shot at Redemption Amid Injury Woes
McDuffie's missing time due to injury gives Williams a chance to rewrite his recent struggles and make the case that he can be a long-term contributor within the KC defense. A great three-game finish to the season from the rookie would unquestionably give the Chiefs a bit more clarity about how to approach the position moving forward.
If Williams can improve and prove himself capable of handling a starting role, all of a sudden, it becomes clear that you can part ways with McDuffie and seek a trade return to improve another position of need. This saves you from giving out another top-dollar extension and trades away a player whose price is only going to increase over the next season.
With this in mind, Williams has an incredible opportunity starting in Week 16 to make his case that the rookie will play into the Chiefs' future. Stopping his recent slide and playing at a high level would go a long way in making Kansas City fans feel better about their future at the position, while giving the coaching staff and front office an interesting decision to weigh.
This is how the Chiefs manage the final games of the season. Evaluating fringe roster pieces and rotational contributors in hopes of finding 2026 answers. With the 2025 season already lost, this is the only value in games that simply no longer matter.