KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs will have a depleted defense Sunday at the Miami Dolphins with a chance to the clinch a fifth straight AFC West championship on the line.
Kansas City, which earned a sixth consecutive postseason berth last week, will be without inside linebacker Damien Wilson, who did not practice this week with a knee inury.
He has been ruled out for Sunday's noon kickoff, but the Chiefs also may be without another of their defensive leaders after safety Tyrann Mathieu was limited Friday at practice with a hip injury.
Mathieu, who has played almost every snap for the Chiefs' defense this season at strong safety, showed up for the first time on Friday's injury report and is listed as questionable for the Dolphins game.
Tyrann Mathieu is questionable for Sunday’s game.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 11, 2020
Damien Wilson is out.https://t.co/E7qShbyJkk
Earlier on Friday, coach Andy Reid made no mention of Mathieu's injury during a videconference with reporters.
"As far as the injuries go, really the only one that didn’t practice was Damien Wilson, so that’s what we had there," Reid said in his opening remarks.
Wilson's absence almost certainly means a larger role for rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr.
Reid also said wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who did not practice due to illness, and rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who did not play in last Sunday's win against Denver, would both be available Sunday.
Mathieu leads the team with five interceptions this season and ranks fourth with 43 tackles. He had two interceptions, including one to ice the game, last week versus Denver.
If he isn't able to play, Juan Thonrhill, who is still regaining his form after a torn ACL last December, and Armani Watts are the Chiefs' backup safeties.
