Chiefs WR Justyn Ross not expected to play vs. Patriots

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid told the media on Thursday that wide receiver Justyn Ross will not play against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

"He (Justyn Ross) falls in that exempt area for this week," Reid said. "And then if we're going to do something, we'll do it next week." 

When asked how Ross looked during practice this week, Reid had some positive news.

"You know what, I thought he did a nice job, (and) moved around well," he said.

Ross has been removed from the exempt list and reserve/suspended list, but Reid confirmed he will not be activated to the 53-man roster for Week 15's game. He'll sit out another week, making his absence extend to a full seven weeks.

"No, not this week," Reid said. "It was good for him to get out there and work. He did all of the scout team reps, so that was a good thing for him."

Ross served his six-game suspension during his time on the Commissioner's Exempt List and rejoined the team for practice this week. However, since Kansas City has a roster exemption for him this week, Ross does not count against the 53-man roster. As Reid hinted the team likely wanted to use this week to evaluate where he was at physically and have him get his legs back under him after missing several weeks of practice.

Ross should have gotten plenty of work in as he took all of the scout team reps. The Patriots have plenty of big, physical receivers like Ross, so that was a good role for him to play. 

The Chiefs will have to decide whether or not to activate Ross to the 53-man roster next week. He was a training camp highlight reel this past summer who some thought would eventually make significant contributions during the regular season. 

Given the state of K.C.'s wide receiver corps, it's not out of the question that he still can. The Chiefs desperately need someone to step up opposite rookie standout Rashee Rice. Ross has a big frame to make contested catches against sticky coverage and he's tough to bring down in the open field. Like with Rice, the Chiefs may have to be willing to live with mistakes due to inexperience to get some playmaking ability from Ross.

Where Kansas City decides to go from here will likely depend on whether Ross stayed sharp during his time off and if he learned from the mistakes that cost him the past seven weeks of the season.