Chiefs injury update: Defender returns to practice in the nick of time

The Kansas City Chiefs completed their final practice of the week on Friday ahead of their Week 15 tilt with the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. 

While a pair of players were ruled out, and another listed as doubtful, there is some optimism that one player could be ready to go after missing two practices earlier this week. Illness struck shortly after the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but both players who missed time this week don't carry a game status designation. 

Below you'll find a breakdown of the final injury report of the week for Kansas City.

Find the final injury report complete with game status designations down below:

KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Observations:

• RB Isiah Pacheco recently had surgery on his injured shoulder (full story here). 
• LT Donovan Smith will miss his second consecutive game, giving rookie LT Wanya Morris his second consecutive start. 
• For the first time since Oct. 22, the Chiefs have their full complement of linebackers healthy and available to play. 
• As I suggested when he received a roster exemption on Monday, WR Justyn Ross won't be activated to the 53-man roster for Week 15. 
• S Mike Edwards practiced in full on Friday after missing the first two practices of the week. He carries no game status designation.

For more information on the Patriots' injury situation, check here.