Chiefs place 2 players on season-ending IR

The Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) have only pride left to play for in the final three games of the 2025-26 regular season, so the organization will want to exercise caution when necessary. KC is placing linebacker Leo Chenal and right tackle Jawaan Taylor on season-ending injured reserve, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The humbled dynasty will now have even more adversity to contend with during the homestretch.

Chenal suffered a shoulder injury in the Chiefs’ playoff-ending loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and will end the year with two sacks, 25 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception and five quarterback hits. He will become a free agent this offseason. Taylor has missed the last two games with a triceps issue. He allowed three sacks and 20 total pressures in 760 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

The Chiefs are limping into 2026, as the injury report gets uncomfortably crowded. Legendary quarterback Patrick Mahomes could miss the start of next season after undergoing ACL and LCL surgery, and other core contributors like cornerback Trent McDuffie and wide receiver Rashee Rice are sidelined for Sunday’s road matchup versus the Tennessee Titans (2-12). Fans have no problem if Kansas City loses out and improves its NFL Draft positioning, but this squad could use some positivity right now.

Travis Kelce could be taking the final snaps of his storied NFL career. If the all-time great tight end retires, he would surely hate ending his run with a loss to the lowly Titans or Las Vegas Raiders. There is no guarantee the Chiefs will be able to overcome their deluge of injuries, though. The action kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.