Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62)  in action during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs place star G Joe Thuney on IR, activate RB Jerick McKinnon

The Kansas City Chiefs placed All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney on injured reserve Saturday, one day prior to Super Bowl LVIII.

Thuney has a pectoral injury, which also sidelined him for the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 28.

Kansas City also activated running back Jerick McKinnon from injured reserve and elevated nose tackle Mike Pennel from the practice squad ahead of the matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

McKinnon was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report because of a groin injury suffered against the New England Patriots on Dec. 17. He was limited at practice all this week.

Thuney also was listed as questionable for the game prior to Saturday’s development. Nick Allegretti is again expected to fill in for Thuney, a three-time Super Bowl champion.

Thuney, 31, started all 17 regular-season games and Kansas City’s first two playoff games. He was injured in the divisional playoff win at Buffalo on Jan. 21.

In his third season with Kansas City, McKinnon had 21 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown in 12 games and caught four touchdown passes among his 25 receptions for 192 yards.

Isiah Pacheco is the team’s top back. He leads a Kansas City rushing attack that also includes Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

A 2014 third-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings out of Georgia Southern, McKinnon has 2,650 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, to go along with 269 catches for 2,048 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Vikings (2014-17), 49ers (2020) and Chiefs.

McKinnon, 31, missed the 2018-19 seasons with San Francisco after tearing the ACL in his knee during a 2018 preseason game.

Pennel, 32, played in three regular-season games and two postseason games for the Chiefs this season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) stands in the bench area during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs LG Joe Thuney (pec) still hopeful for Super Bowl return

LAKE LAS VEGAS, Nevada — All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney is holding out dwindling hope he’ll be able to play in Super Bowl LVIII after missing the AFC Championship Game with a pectoral injury.

“Feeling alright,” Thuney said Wednesday. “Just trying to control what I can control and I think we’ll know more as the game gets closer.”

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Thuney’s chances to be active for the game are “slim.” Nick Allegretti is preparing to fill in for Thuney, a three-time Super Bowl champion, as he did in Kansas City’s victory at Baltimore two weeks ago.

“Four Super Bowls in five years, it’s hard to fathom. Definitely emotional last week,” Allegretti said of his chance to start at Baltimore. “It definitely doesn’t get old.”

Thuney said he was “so proud” of Allegretti’s performance and expects him to excel if he’s back in the starting role this week.

“Not trying to think too much, do what I can each day,” Thuney said.

Thuney, 31, started the first 18 games of the season, including the wild-card round against the Miami Dolphins. His injury typically requires a recovery of four to six weeks. He was injured in the divisional playoff win at Buffalo on Jan. 21.

–By Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) at the line of scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs G Joe Thuney deemed questionable on bye week report

If Super Bowl LVIII were being played this Sunday, All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney would be questionable.

The defending champs’ starting left guard was marked as “did not practice” Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on the Chiefs’ estimated practice report.

Thuney missed the AFC Championship Game, a 17-10 victory over the host Baltimore Ravens, after injuring his pectoral muscle the week prior in the 27-24 win over the host Buffalo Bills in the divisional round. The injury is reported to be a strain, not a tear.

Thuney, 31, started all 17 games in the regular season and earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod along with his first career recognition as a first-team All-Pro.

Nick Allegretti started in Thuney’s place against Baltimore and figures to draw the start again Feb. 5 against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas if Thuney can’t go.

The Chiefs ruled out defensive end Charles Omenihu, who had a key strip-sack of Lamar Jackson in the AFC title game but later tore his ACL.

Wide receiver Skyy Moore (knee) and offensive lineman Prince Tega-Wanogho (quad) are also considered questionable for Kansas City. Both practiced in limited fashion this week, and both are on injured reserve and would need to be activated before the game.

Linebacker Willie Gay (neck) was a full participant Thursday and Friday and carries no game designation. Nor does leading rusher Isiah Pacheco (toe, ankle), despite being limited Thursday and Friday.

The 49ers’ only player given a game designation Friday was defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who is on IR with an ankle injury but was a full participant in practice this week.

Of note, star tight end George Kittle (toe) was given “DNPs” Wednesday through Friday but carried no game designation.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62)  stands in the bench area during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs rule out G Joe Thuney (pec), WR Skyy Moore (knee)

The Kansas City Chiefs ruled out All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney and wide receiver Skyy Moore for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Coach Andy Reid confirmed Friday that Thuney (pectoral), Moore (knee), nose tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps) and reserve offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho (quad) will not play.

Running back Isiah Pacheco (toe, ankle), safety Mike Edwards (concussion), linebacker Willie Gay (neck) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (hip) are questionable for the game in Baltimore.

Pacheco practiced Friday for the first time this week. Gay missed Friday’s practice due to a neck spasm.

Thuney, 31, was injured during last Sunday’s 27-24 divisional playoff win at Buffalo.

Moore, 23, has not played since Dec. 17. He was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this month but still isn’t ready to go. He caught 21 passes for 244 yards and one TD in 14 games (eight starts) this season.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney (62) on the line of scrimmage against the Miami Dolphins in a 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Injured Chiefs G Joe Thuney, RB Isiah Pacheco miss practice

Kansas City Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney and running back Isiah Pacheco each missed practice Thursday due to their injuries.

Thuney is dealing with a pectoral injury and Pacheco has ankle and toe injuries.

Thuney, a Pro Bowl selection for the second straight season, is highly unlikely to be available for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Pacheco insisted Wednesday that he will be on the field Sunday. He led the Chiefs with 935 rushing yards in the regular season and added 97 more in last Sunday’s 27-24 divisional round victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (triceps) and receiver Skyy Moore (knee) also missed Thursday’s practice. Moore remains on injured reserve.

Safety Mike Edwards (concussion) returned to the field on a limited basis. He was injured against the Bills.

“We’ll ease him back in and see how he’s doing,” Reid said of Edwards.

Ravens cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (knee) missed practice. Returner/receiver Tylan Wallace (knee) was a limited participant after sitting out Wednesday.

Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) was a full practice participant for the second straight day. Andrews, who is on injured reserve, was hurt on Nov. 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney (62) blocks on a play in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: G Joe Thuney agrees to $80M deal with Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs and free agent guard Joe Thuney have agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal, according to multiple reports on Monday.

The 28-year-old Thuney started 80 consecutive games for the New England Patriots over the past five seasons. He also started 10 playoff games, including three straight Super Bowls.

Thuney earned nearly $14.8 million last season after the Patriots placed the franchise tag on him.

The signing of Thuney will help the Chiefs better protect star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was repeatedly harassed during last month’s Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mahomes expressed his approval on Twitter with three emojis that depict a grinning face and smiling eyes.

Thuney was a third-round selection (78th overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft out of North Carolina State.

–Field Level Media