By Jason Dayee,Total Apex Sports
Copyright yardbarker
The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into their Sunday showdown against the Baltimore Ravens with a wave of positive momentum on the injury front. For Chiefs Kingdom, the week has been a tense watch, with several key players on the report. However, as the team wrapped up its final major practice on Friday, a sense of relief washed over the organization.
Midweek Worries Give Way to Optimism
The week began with a few question marks. On Wednesday, the Chiefs’ injury report showed two noteworthy names with limited participation: defensive end Mike Danna (quad) and cornerback Kristian Fulton (ankle). Both players were sidelined for last week’s victory over the New York Giants, and their limited status was a cause for concern. The thought of facing a formidable Ravens offense without two key defensive pieces was enough to make any fan nervous.
However, Thursday brought the first sign of good news. Danna was upgraded to a full participant in practice. This significant step forward was a clear indicator that his quad injury was healing well, sparking hope that he would be back in the trenches on Sunday to pressure the quarterback. Fulton, however, remained a limited participant, leaving his status for the weekend matchup uncertain.
Friday Brings Near-Perfect News for the Chiefs
By Friday, the injury picture had become even clearer, and overwhelmingly positive. Head Coach Andy Reid delivered the news that every fan had been hoping for.
“Everyone but rookie DE Ashton Gillotte (illness) participated in today’s practice,” Reid said, bringing a collective sigh of relief. He quickly added that Gillotte “should be fine for Sunday’s game,” essentially giving the Chiefs a clean bill of health heading into the weekend.
This means players who had been on the report with various ailments, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes (right wrist), linebacker Nick Bolton (rib) and safety Bryan Cook (neck), were all full participants throughout the week and are ready to go.
Xavier Worthy Set for Sunday Return
Perhaps the most exciting update came regarding rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. After missing last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, Worthy was a full participant in practice all week. His speed and big-play ability were sorely missed, and his return is a massive boost for the Chiefs’ offense.
Coach Reid confirmed Worthy is expected to play against the Ravens. “He’s been able to keep himself in good shape,” Reid said, praising the Worthy’s dedication during his time off the field. Worthy’s presence will undoubtedly stretch the Ravens’ defense and provide another dynamic weapon for Patrick Mahomes.
As the Chiefs inch closer to Sunday’s matchup, they do so with the confidence that they will be at, or very near to, full strength. The journey through the week’s injury reports started with apprehension but ended with resounding optimism. Kansas City is healthy, hungry and ready for a monumental clash at Arrowhead Stadium.
