Chiefs DL Chris Jones (Calf) Questionable to Play vs. Steelers on Christmas
Kansas City, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense may be without one of its key pieces on Christmas Day when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive lineman Chris Jones is questionable to play due to a calf injury, the team announced on Wednesday.
Jones suffered the injury in the Chiefs’ Week 15 win over the Houston Texans. He played through the injury in that game, but he was limited in practice this week. The Chiefs are hoping that Jones will be able to play on Sunday, but they are not ruling him out.
If Jones is unable to play, it would be a big loss for the Chiefs. Jones is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and he is a key part of the Chiefs’ pass rush. He has 9.5 sacks this season, which is second on the team behind only Frank Clark.
The Chiefs are already without another key defensive lineman, Khalen Saunders, who is on injured reserve with a knee injury. If Jones is also unable to play, the Chiefs would be left with a very thin defensive line.
The Steelers have a strong offense, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Najee Harris. The Chiefs will need to be at their best on defense if they want to slow down the Steelers’ attack.
Chiefs Defense Struggling Without Jones
The Chiefs’ defense has struggled in recent weeks without Jones. In the past two games, the Chiefs have allowed an average of 27 points per game. They have also allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete over 70% of their passes.
The Chiefs’ pass rush has been particularly ineffective without Jones. In the past two games, the Chiefs have only recorded two sacks. That is a significant drop-off from their season average of 3.5 sacks per game.
The Chiefs are hoping that Jones will be able to play on Sunday and help them get back on track defensively. However, if Jones is unable to play, the Chiefs will have to find a way to generate pressure on Roethlisberger without him.
Steelers Offense Rolling
The Steelers’ offense has been rolling in recent weeks. In the past three games, the Steelers have averaged over 30 points per game. Roethlisberger has been playing at a high level, and Harris has emerged as one of the best running backs in the NFL.
The Steelers’ passing game has been particularly effective. Roethlisberger has completed over 70% of his passes in each of the past three games, and he has thrown for over 300 yards in each of those games.
The Steelers’ running game has also been effective. Harris has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the past three games, and he has scored four touchdowns in that span.
The Steelers’ offense will be a tough test for the Chiefs’ defense, even if Jones is able to play. The Chiefs will need to play their best game on defense if they want to slow down the Steelers’ attack.
Conclusion
The Chiefs and Steelers are two of the most storied franchises in NFL history. They have met in the playoffs 10 times, with the Steelers holding a 6-4 advantage. The Chiefs will be looking to even the score when they host the Steelers on Christmas Day.
The game is expected to be a close one. The Chiefs have the home-field advantage, but the Steelers have been playing better football in recent weeks. The outcome of the game could come down to which team can make the most plays on defense.