Trio of Chiefs suffer injuries in meaningless Week 18 game

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Los Angles Chargers 13-12 in their Week 18 game, completing a sweep of the AFC West division rival during the 2023 NFL season. The game was effectively and exhibition game for Kansas City as they had already clinched the No. 3 seed in the AFC conference. The victory, however, came at a cost.

Chiefs rookie LT Wanya Morris left the game in the first half to be evaluated for a head injury. He was eventually ruled out of the game with a concussion. Andy Reid kicked off his postgame press conference with confirmation of that injury. 

"As far as the injuries go, Wanya Morris banged his head," said Reid. "He's in the concussion protocol." 

Morris has been the Chiefs' starting left tackle since Week 14 as Donovan Smith has dealt with a neck injury. This will be a big one to monitor for Kansas City as Smith remains out due to his injury, and the Chiefs could play their playoff game as early as Saturday, Jan. 13. If Morris is unable to clear the concussion protocol and Smith is still not healthy, the team might have to get creative at left tackle. 

As for other injuries, two players left the game with seemingly minor injuries. 

"Justyn Ross came out with a hamstring," Reid said. "Jaylen Watson got kneed in the calf. I think for the most part we came out relatively healthy."

Reid did not provide an update on S Deon Bush, who suffered an apparent wrist injury late in the fourth quarter of the game after colliding with LB Jack Cochrane. 

Rookie S Chamarri Conner, who left the game after he came up wobbly following a hard tackle, eventually returned to the game and finished it.