Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City Chiefs Inactive and Injury Reports for Conference Championships
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Published:
- In the Cincinnati Bengals vs Kansas City Chiefs injury reports for the AFC Conference Championship Game, the Bengals are hurting along the OL and the Chiefs are ailing at receiver
- Three Cincinnati offensive line starters are out
- TE Travis Kelce, and WR Mecole Hardman and Justin Watson are questionable for Kansas City
In the run up to the AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals (14-4, 13-5 ATS) and Kansas City Chiefs (15-3, 6-11-1 ATS), all the focus was on the ankle of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Evidently, that’s no longer an issue. Mahomes is not carrying a designation in the final injury reports for the game. However, the Chiefs are showing All-Pro TE Travis Kelce as questionable, as well as two of the club’s wide receivers.
In Cincinnati, the concerns center around the offensive line. Three starters are out for the Bengals. However, they were also out for Cincinnati’s divisional-round game against the Buffalo Bills and it didn’t seem to matter as the Bengals rolled to a decisive 27-10 victory.
The Bengals vs Chiefs public betting splits are going with Cincinnati. Both spread and moneyline handle and bets are backing the Bengals. The people like the over on the total of 48 points. The game is being broadcast by CBS. Kickoff set for 6:30 pm ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, January 29.
Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report
The Bengals will again be without RG Alex Cappa (ankle) and LT Jonah Williams (knee). As well, starting RT La’el Collins (knee) has spent the last month on IR.
However, against the Bills, the depleted offensive front allowed only one sack. The Chiefs are second in the NFL this season with 57 sacks, though. Kansas City sacked Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence twice during the Chiefs’ 27-20 Division Round win over the Jaguars.
Beyond the OL, the only other injury issue for the Bengals is reserve SS Brandon Wilson. He’s out with a knee injury.
Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report
Kelce was struck down with back spasms on Friday. He led all NFL TE this season during the regular season in receptions (110), receiving yardage (1338) and touchdown catches (12). However, the latest word from the KC camp is that Kelce will be playing on Sunday.
Wide receiver Mecole Hardman (pelvis) has been limited in practice this week. He’s missed the past nine games. WR Justin Watson (illness) hasn’t been practicing this week. Both wideouts are listed as questionable.
Watson and Hardman are also part of Kansas City’s punt return depth. That role has been taken over by WR Kadarius Toney since he arrived in a trade from the New York Giants.
Kansas City is listed as 1.5-point home favorites. Cincinnati is among the NFL’s best against-the-spread bets this season. The Bengals are 8-2 ATS on the road this season.
There’s been massive movement in the line since the Conference Championship opening odds first dropped. The Chiefs began as a 2.5-point pick. Concerns over the status of Mahomes swung it around the Cincinnati -1.5. Now it’s come back to the hometown Chiefs as the chalk with evidence that Mahomes is going to be just fine.
How Could Injuries Affect the Bengals vs Chiefs Lines?
As a precaution against any in-game issues involving Kelce, the Chiefs did elevate TE Jody Fortson from IR to the active roster. Fortson has caught two TD passes in limited action this season. They also signed RB La’Mical Perine to the practice squad.
#Chiefs activated TE Jody Fortson from IR ahead of the AFC Championship game against the #Bengals
Also signed RB La’Mical Perine to the Practice Squad.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 28, 2023
Kelce is money in terms of piling up the stats, so his status certainly could impact any plays in the Bengals vs Chiefs player props.
Hardman has only played eight games, including five starts, so it’s difficult to make a strong case that Kansas City’s offensive is missing him. Mahomes has been a full participant in practice each of the past three days, so it would appear his ankle ailment is a thing of the past.
#Bengals coach Zac Taylor says he doesn't expect OLs Jonah Williams or Alex Cappa to play against the #Chiefs.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 27, 2023
Cincinnati starting center Ted Karras is nursing a knee injury. However, the two-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots has been a full participant in practice all week. Likewise, starting TE Hayden Hurst (calf) was removed from any injury designation.
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Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
