The Kansas City Chiefs enjoyed an almost effortlessly dominant season in 2024. Even after essentially conceding the season finale against the Denver Broncos by resting their starters, the Chiefs finished with a 15-2 record and the top seed in the AFC. The 15 wins are the most in franchise history and the number one seed earned Kansas City a first round bye, allowing the team additional time to heal up.

The two full weeks of rest seem to have paid off, as all Chiefs players who had been dealing with injuries at the end of the regular season returned to a full practice on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero on X. Only wideout Mecole Hardman was limited and he remains on injured reserve.

Good news for the #Chiefs: All players on the active roster were full participants in practice today, including QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle), RB Isiah Pacheco (ribs), DT Chris Jones (calf) and LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring).
WR Mecole Hardman (knee), who’s still on IR, was limited.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 14, 2025

The Chiefs were pretty banged up heading into Week 18 as Patrick Mahomes was dealing with a sore ankle, Isiah Pacheco had a rib injury, Chris Jones was nursing a calf and D.J. Humphries had a hamstring strain. Kansas City rested the majority of its starters against Denver in the last game of the regular season. That strategy not only worked for the Chiefs but helped the Broncos as well, as Denver needed a Week 18 win to reach the playoffs.

KC’s decision was easy to make given the team’s extensive injuries and the fact that the Chiefs had already locked up the top seed in the AFC heading into the season finale. Mahomes had been dealing with a nagging ankle injury sustained in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. While he left that game early, he didn’t miss a start until Week 18.

Mecole Hardman was limited in practice on Tuesday due to the knee injury that has kept him out of game action for the last several weeks.

Mecole Hardman was limited in practice today.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 14, 2025

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are rested and healthy for the playoffs

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Clearly, Mahomes’ health is of paramount importance to the Chiefs. The three-time champion is already considered the favorite to win Super Bowl MVP this season. However, he wasn’t the only noteworthy player hampered by injury at the end of the year.

Running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a rib injury in Week 17’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pachecho was forced from the game in the second half due to the ailment and he too was given Week 18 off to rest up.

On the defensive side of the ball, star DL Chris Jones hurt his calf in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. The injury sidelined him for the final two weeks of the regular season. But now, with that time to rest and the bye week to further heal up, Jones is back at practice and ready to take on the Houston Texans in the Divisional round this weekend.

While Mahomes didn’t make the Pro Bowl in 2024 amid a statistical drop off this season, the Chiefs looked as dominant as ever, rolling to 15-1 before resting everyone in Week 18. Now the team will be fully healthy as they prepare to play the AFC South-winning Texans on Saturday afternoon. The Chiefs are looking to win their third straight Super Bowl title, a feat that has never before been accomplished in the NFL.

Divisional Round Injury Report |Houston Texans

Player	Position	Injury	Tues.
Azeez Al-Shaair	LB	Knee	DNP
Shaq Mason	G	Knee	DNP
Juice Scruggs	C/G	Ankle	DNP
Robert Woods	WR	Hip	DNP
Denico Autry	DE	Knee	LP
Nico Collins	WR	NIR (Rest)	LP
Dalton Schultz	TE	Shoulder	LP
Will Anderson Jr.	DE	Hand / Elbow	FP
Nick Broeker	G	Hand	FP
Teagan Quitoriano	TE	Calf	FP

Practice Status

DNP – Did not participate in practice
LP – Limited participation in practice
FP – Full participation
(-) – Not listed

Game Status

Out – Player will not play
Doubtful – Player is unlikely to play
Questionable – Player is not certain to play
(-) – Not listed

Texans Make Surprise WR Move Days Before Chiefs Playoff Game

In a surprising move, the Houston Texans have decided to make some changes to the roster ahead of the playoff game with Kansas City. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson’s season is not going as planned. After being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Carolina Panthers last month, he was shipped out again to the Baltimore Ravens before the trade deadline in October. The Ravens cut Johnson in late December following reports of him being unhappy.

The Texans, having endured season ending injuries to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, claimed Johnson on waivers from the Ravens. But his time in Houston has come to an abrupt end.

Johnson played one regular season game for the Texans in which he caught two passes for 12 yards total. He also had one catch for 12 yards in Houston’s 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.

Houston will look to extend their playoff run with more opportunities for Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie III and Nico Collins. The team will also have to overcome the loss of Cade Stover who was placed on injured reserve.