The Kansas City Chiefs fielded one of their healthiest offensive lineups of the season for Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes starting and wide receiver Marquise Brown active.
Mahomes, who suffered a high-ankle sprain during last week’s victory over Cleveland, was cleared to play after being omitted from the final injury report. He participated fully in practice throughout the week and expressed confidence in his ability to perform. “I want to be able to still move around the pocket so we’re not just sitting in one spot the whole game,” Mahomes said, emphasizing the importance of not limiting the game plan.
Brown was activated from injured reserve on Friday, just over a week after returning to practice following surgery for a dislocated sternoclavicular joint in his shoulder. He sustained the injury on the first play of the preseason against Jacksonville, and there were initial doubts about his return this season. Last year, Brown recorded 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games with Arizona. Over five seasons, he has amassed 313 catches for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns. “You’re adding another guy that can stretch the field,” said Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke, highlighting Brown’s impact if he plays.
Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal was also active despite being added to the injury report with an illness on Friday. However, the team was without left tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and safety Chamarri Conner (concussion), both ruled out earlier in the week. Other inactives included offensive linemen Ethan Driskell and C.J. Hanson, defensive linemen Malik Herring and Marlon Tuipulotu, and linebacker Joshua Uche.
For the Texans, tight end Cade Stover missed his second consecutive game following an emergency appendectomy last Saturday. He was previously ruled out along with defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (ankle), offensive lineman Juice Scruggs (foot), and wide receiver John Metchie III (shoulder). Inactive players for Houston included linebacker Devin White, defensive end Jerry Hughes, and offensive lineman Nick Broeker.
On a positive note, Texans offensive guard Kenyon Green, who had missed the last five games due to a shoulder injury, was active. Linebacker Christian Harris also returned after not practicing on Friday due to an ankle issue.
Both the Chiefs (13-1) and the Texans have already secured their respective division titles, with Kansas City aiming to clinch the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye with a victory, combined with a loss or tie by Buffalo in their game against New England on Sunday.
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