Chiefs Digest

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ice accumulation at Kansas City International Airport closed flight operations for approximately two and a half hours Saturday afternoon, delaying the chartered plane taking the Chiefs to Denver for tomorrow’s final game of the regular season. The team finally departed the airport at 5:21 p.m. Players and club personnel remained on the plane as it idled on the tarmac for nearly four hours.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Attempting to solve the puzzle of their left tackle position, the Chiefs will slide a new piece into place Sunday night against the Chargers in turning to veteran D.J. Humphries. Andy Reid didn’t tip his hand as to who will start at left in Week 14 but sources confirmed to Chiefs Digest it’s Humphries who will draw the start. “I’m just going to evaluate,” Reid said after Friday’s practice.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The journey back to the active roster is complete for Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu. The club activated both players from injured reserve Thursday, and both are expected to play on in tomorrow’s Black Friday game against the Las Vegas Raiders. On Wednesday, coach Andy Reid said he expected Pacheco and Omenihu to play if all went well after that day’s practice and Thursday morning’s walk-through. “I mean, as long as they’re OK,” Reid said.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Injuries to kicker Spencer Shrader and tight end Peyton Hendershot forced the Chiefs to make a roster shuffle on Tuesday, along with a series of other maneuvers to clear a path for the expected return of Isiah Pacheco and Charles Omenihu.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs added veteran depth at the left tackle position Friday evening, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with left tackle D.J. Humphries. NFL Network reports the deal will pay Humphries $2 million for the remainder of the season with incentives topping out at an additional $2.5 million. The deal is pending a physical for Humphries once he reports to Kansas City. The Chiefs have an open spot on the 53-player roster so no corresponding move is necessary for his addition.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote, “Probable impossibilities are to be preferred to improbable possibilities.” It’s a good thing Aristotle never watched the Kansas City Chiefs play football. The Chiefs stretched the definition of probable impossibilities in Sunday’s 16-14 win over the Denver Broncos by using the rare walk-off blocked field goal to secure the victory.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs rookie tight end Jared Wiley landed on season-ending injured reserve Saturday with a torn ACL, six days after fellow tight end Jody Fortson also suffered a season-ending torn ACL against the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Kansas City’s tight end room in need of reinforcements.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five-time Pro Bowl receiver DeAndre Hopkins is heading to Kansas City to reinforce a Chiefs’ receiving corps depleted by injuries to Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The 32-year-old Hopkins posted 15 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in six games with Tennessee this season. The Chiefs will send the Titans a fifth-round pick that can upgrade to a fourth-round selection if certain conditions are met, according to NFL Network.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs will be down two more starters when they visit the Las Vegas Raiders after head coach Andy Reid reported both receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and cornerback Jaylen Watson won’t be available this week. “I would tell you, Watson, it’s not, it’s not going to be good, and he won’t be ready this week,” Reid said during his weekly Monday press conference. “JuJu won’t be ready this week.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Optimism regarding the right knee of Rashee Rice continued spreading Wednesday with Patrick Mahomes telling reporters “hopefully we have him back soon.” Mahomes made the remark during an interview session with local Chiefs beat writers. When asked how the team will replace the production of Rice, Mahomes displayed an optimistic tone regarding Rice and the potential return of receiver Hollywood Brown.