Tag: Derrick Nnadi

AFC Championship picks: Who the experts are taking in Ravens vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at the NFL expert picks for the AFC Championship game and the Ravens are projected to defeat the Chiefs

We’re a little over 32 hours from one of the biggest AFC Championship tilts in NFL history when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs at M&T Bank Stadium.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, we’re looking at one thing to watch at each offensive position group.

Chiefs’ Joe Thuney, Derrick Nnadi are officially out vs. Ravens in AFC Championship Game

Chiefs’ Joe Thuney, Derrick Nnadi are officially out vs. Ravens in AFC Championship Game

The final injury report has been released for the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of their AFC Championship Game with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Chiefs have officially ruled out offensive guard Joe Thuney and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi on Friday before the team’s trip to Baltimore. Wide receiver Skyy Moore and offensive lineman Prince Tega Wanogho are also ruled out. Mike Edwards (concussion), Isiah Pacheco (ankle/toe), Willie Gay (neck), and Kadarius Toney (hip) are listed as questionable as they continue to be evaluated before kickoff.

Thuney’s pectoral injury will hold him out, while Nnadi’s triceps will keep him sidelined for a second consecutive postseason game. Neither player had practiced this week.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shared his thoughts on Gay’s injury status and the importance of having him in the lineup earlier in the week’s press conference.

“Willie is a big part of our defense,” said Reid. “I would not slight Drue (Tranquill) for the job he did coming in, but Willie is a good player. He’s part of the success that we’ve had.”

Toney has been a limited participant in practice this week. He missed the previous five games, not seeing game action in over a month.

Marlon Humphrey among 3 listed as questionable for AFC Championship game

The Ravens are listing Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin and Tylan Wallace as questionable for the AFC Championship game, while Mark Andrews will play

The Ravens released their final injury report, and the team is listing Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin and Tylan Wallace as questionable for the AFC Championship game, while Mark Andrews will play after missing six games.

Head Coach John Harbaugh said he is “confident” that Humphrey will play on Sunday, which is a big boost to the secondary. Ronald Darby has played well with Humphrey sidelined, and it could give Baltimore’s secondary even more versatility.

Andrews enters the game with no injury designation.

3 burning questions ahead of Ravens AFC Championship matchup vs. Chiefs

We’re looking at seven burning questions ahead of the AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are three burning questions to answer.

Ravens vs. Chiefs: 7 early storylines to watch in the AFC Championship game

We’re looking at seven early storylines to watch when the Baltimore Ravens host the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game

The Kansas City Chiefs travel to Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game to take on the Ravens.  Kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET.

Sunday will mark the Chiefs sixth-consecutive AFC title game appearance, it’s first of the stretch that will be played on the road.

Last Sunday, the Chiefs defeated the Bills in Buffalo 27-24 to advance to the AFC’s final game, while Baltimore is riding high after a 34-10 win over Houston and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The last time these two teams met was in 2021 in Week 2.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had two fourth-quarter rushing Touchdowns to defeat the Chiefs 36-35.

Since becoming Kansas City’s head coach in 2013, Andy Reid has been 4-1 through the regular season against the Ravens, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been 3-1.

With preparation for the matchup set to begin, here are seven storylines to watch.

Chiefs downgrade WR Kadarius Toney’s status to out vs. Bills

Chiefs downgrade WR Kadarius Toney’s status to out vs. Bills

The grind of the NFL regular season continues to take a toll on the Kansas City Chiefs as several players are listed on their injury report with various designations ahead of Sunday night’s divisional round matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The team announced on Saturday some status changes that should affect the lineup in Buffalo as key players are expected to be sidelined due to nagging injuries.

Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney will miss his fifth consecutive game due to hip and ankle injuries as the team has officially ruled him out for Sunday night. Toney won’t have the opportunity to redeem himself on the field following the infamous offensive offsides penalty in the teams week 14 game halting a potential Chiefs comeback victory. He’s been bothered by multiple injuries throughout the season including knee surgery at the start of training camp, finishing the 2023 campaign with 169 yards and a touchdown on 27 receptions.

On Saturday, the team also announced that defensive end Charles Omenihu is now questionable battling an illness and linebacker Willie Gay is questionable due to a neck injury. Gay was a limited participant in practice on Friday while wide receiver Justyn Ross remains questionable with a hamstring injury limiting his work in practice throughout the week.

Skyy Moore, Wanya Morris and Derrick Nnadi were ruled out on Friday according to head coach Andy Reid. Moore had been on injured reserve due to a knee injury but practiced on a limited basis this week, Morris remains in concussion protocol and Nnadi missed practice all week due to a triceps injury.   

5 Jaguars players to watch vs. the Chiefs in Week 2

Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their Week 2 game against the Chiefs:

The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday to move to 1-0 on the season and take hold of the first-place spot in the AFC South. But their Week 2 opponent will almost certainly be more challenging.

The Jaguars will host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in a rematch of last season’s divisional-round matchup between the teams.

The Chiefs lost to the Detroit Lions in the first game of the NFL season Sept. 7, but they may have tight end Travis Kelce and defensive lineman Chris Jones — likely the second and third best players on the team — available for the first time this season.

Here are five Jaguars players to watch in their Week 2 home opener versus the Chiefs:

15 Chiefs with the most to prove in 2023

These 15 #Chiefs have the most to prove in 2023 as Kansas City endeavors to win its second-straight Super Bowl title.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl aspirations hinge on the arm of quarterback Patrick Mahomes more than any other factor. Mahomes’ dominance in recent years has been nothing short of a miracle for Kansas City, and the team has two championship rings to show for his efforts.

But for the reigning MVP, there isn’t much left to prove. He has already shown an acumen for winning big games, secured himself one of the biggest contracts in pro sports, and is an icon who is seen on television daily.

Mahomes’ teammates now bear the burden of keeping his legacy and, by extension, the team’s reign as NFL champions, afloat. After a successful training camp and preseason, some of the quarterback’s cohorts have more to prove than others, especially after roster cuts left many of Kansas City’s most promising prospects without a place on the team’s payroll.

Check out our top 15 Chiefs with something to prove ahead of the 2023 season kickoff on August 7:

Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi shared his thoughts on rookies Keondre Coburn, Felix Anudike-Uzomah

#Chiefs lineman Derrick Nnadi shared his thoughts on rookies Keondre Coburn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah after Wednesday’s practice. | from: @EdEastonJr

Strong play on the defensive line has traditionally been one of the most substantial aspects of the Kansas City Chiefs’ identity. The team’s line will be led by All-Pro tackle Chris Jones in 2023 once his prolonged holdout from training camp inevitably ends.

Jones is, rightfully, the face of the unit, but the efforts of veteran lineman Derrick Nnadi haven’t gone unnoticed. Nnadi is a fellow defensive tackle that has joined Jones in applying pressure to the middle of opposing offensive lines since 2018 when Kansas City selected him as a third-round draft pick.

The two-time Super Bowl champion revealed his thoughts on rookies Keondre Coburn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

“They have a lot of potential,” Nnadi explained. “They show flashes day in [and] day out coming to practice. They’re like sponges, especially Keondre [Coburn]. I’ve been working with him just trying to make sure he stays locked in on the things we got to do. Felix [Anudike-Uzomah]; he is improving every single day, in terms [of] one on ones, pass rush, things like that. I expect a lot of promising things from these two kids.”

Nnadi has been primarily focused on being a run-stopper, as he’s only tallied four career sacks heading into the 2023 season. As training camp rolls on without Jones, Nnadi has shown his ability and willingness to take on a more significant role if necessary and mentor the Chiefs’ young defensive talent.

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8 Chiefs with something to prove in training camp Week 2

These eight #Chiefs have something to prove in Kansas City’s second week of training camp.

The Kansas City Chiefs face sky-high expectations ahead of the 2023 regular season, and preparations for their championship defense campaign have already begun in earnest at their training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. While the Chiefs’ up-and-coming receiving corps has been the object of intense adulation at Missouri Western State University, players in other position groups are still trying to break through to secure themselves a spot on Kansas City’s final 53-man roster.

Here are eight Chiefs who have something to prove during Kansas City’s second week of training camp: