Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid had unfortunate news to report earlier this Tuesday. He revealed that All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones has been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
The timing of this new is brutal for the Chiefs. In just two days, they’ll take on the Los Angeles Chargers in a divisional matchup that will have playoff implications.
Jones can still be cleared in time for Thursday night’s game. In order for that to happen, he needs to be vaccinated, produce two negative tests that are 24 hours apart, and be asymptomatic.
As you’d expect, Chiefs fans are upset about this situation. If Jones can’t suit up for the Chargers game on Thursday night, that would leave the Chiefs with a massive hole in the trenches.
Dear God https://t.co/7AZEfrqU55
— Spencer N. Schultz (@ravens4dummies) December 14, 2021
Well that sure is a bummer https://t.co/8flT6nSHj5
— Erin Boyle (@Erin_Boyle) December 14, 2021
Of course, Jones missing Thursday night’s game would be good news for the Chargers.
Jones has 20 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, seven sacks, and a forced fumble through 11 games this season.
Should def help @chargers OLine maybe we will have a chance https://t.co/4ZVgn9VcB2
— Ivan Skovar (@S2Chainzzz) December 14, 2021
Not that you need convincing, but this is big for Justin Herbert and #Chargers, especially since their own OL Rashawn Slater is on the Covid-19 list himself https://t.co/jrchF1iPAW
— Colin McTamany (@Colin_McT) December 14, 2021
Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu explained just how difficult it would be to replace Jones on Thursday night.
“The only guy you can really compare him to is probably Aaron Donald,” Mathieu said, via ESPN. “You talk about inside dominance. It’s going to be a big challenge for us to replace him.”
Jones’ official status for Thursday night’s game will be released fairly soon.
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