Two Key Players Missing Practice Sparks Concern Ahead of Chiefs-Raiders Showdown
As the NFL’s Week 7 approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) are gearing up to host the Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday at noon. But here's where it gets intriguing: the latest injury report reveals that two Chiefs players were notably absent from Wednesday’s practice, raising questions about their availability for the upcoming clash. And this is the part most people miss—injury reports often hint at deeper storylines that could shape the game’s outcome.
Here’s the breakdown of the first official injury report of the week:
Chiefs Injury Report
| Player | Pos | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
|-----------------|------|--------------|-------|-----|------|---------|
| Brashard Smith | RB | Illness | DNP | - | - | - |
| Josh Simmons | T | Personal | DNP | - | - | - |
| Hollywood Brown | WR | Achilles | FP | - | - | - |
| Nikko Remigio | WR | Thumb | FP | - | - | - |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | Shoulder/Ankle | FP | - | - | - |
| Jawaan Taylor | T | Knee | FP | - | - | - |
| Charles Omenihu | DE | Ankle | FP | - | - | - |
Raiders Injury Report
| Player | Pos | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Status |
|----------------|------|--------------|-------|-----|------|---------|
| Dylan Laube | RB | Hamstring | DNP | - | - | - |
| Brock Bowers | TE | Knee | DNP | - | - | - |
| Jakobi Meyers | WR | Knee/Toe | DNP | - | - | - |
Key Takeaways and Controversies
For the Chiefs, the absence of starting left tackle Josh Simmons is the headline. Simmons missed Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions due to undisclosed personal reasons, and his continued absence this week—again labeled as 'personal'—has fans and analysts speculating. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this a personal matter, or is there more to the story? Head Coach Andy Reid remains tight-lipped, stating, “[General Manager Brett] Veach is handling everything there—and we’ll leave it at that.” Could this be a strategic move, or is there a deeper issue at play? Weigh in below—what do you think is really going on?
Running back Brashard Smith was also sidelined due to illness, though this is less concerning given the nature of the issue. The rest of the Chiefs’ injured players, including wide receivers Hollywood Brown, Nikko Remigio, and Xavier Worthy, were full participants, suggesting they’ll be ready for Sunday. Notably, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is absent from the report for the first time since Week 3, a positive sign for Chiefs fans.
On the Raiders’ side, three players missed practice, including star tight end Brock Bowers, who’s been battling a knee injury that’s already cost him two games. Starting wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is also out with knee and toe issues, though his situation is complicated by recent trade rumors. And this is the part most people miss: Could Meyers’ injuries be a factor in potential trade discussions? It’s a thought-provoking angle worth exploring.
Finally, running back Dylan Laube, primarily a special teams contributor, is nursing a hamstring injury sustained in Week 6. While his absence is less impactful, it highlights the Raiders’ growing injury concerns.
As we approach Sunday’s game, these injury reports add an extra layer of intrigue. Will the Chiefs’ offensive line hold up without Simmons? Can the Raiders overcome their key absences? Let us know your predictions and thoughts in the comments—this is one matchup you won’t want to miss!
