Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders Inactive and Injury Reports for Week 18
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- In the Chiefs vs Raiders inactive and injury report, NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs is questionable with a hip/oblique injury
- Kansas City guard Joe Thuney (ankle) is questionable for Week 18
- Read below to find out who’s in and who’s out prior to this kickoff
Closing in on his very first NFL rushing title, Josh Jacobs may have to sit and watch the Week 18 finale when his Las Vegas Raiders host the Kansas City Chiefs.
This is a Las Vegas team that will start Jarret Stidham for a second straight week, after pulling starting QB Derek Carr in Week 17.
The NFL odds have the Chiefs installed as 9-point favorites, and with a chance at the AFC’s top seed — and the accompanying lone first-round bye — should likely be playing and not resting their players. The total has been set at 52.5.
They’re also a little dinged up heading into this one, with guard Joe Thuney (ankle) one of several key contributors that are questionable for KC.
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Catch this game Saturday (January 7) at 4:30pm ET from Allegiant Stadium, in a game that can be seen on ESPN, ABC and ESPN+.
Looking at the NFL betting trends, the betting public is banking on a Chiefs W, with 85% of the bets taking KC on the moneyline. It’s a more even split when looking at the spread, with 56% still taking the visitors to cover that hefty nine points.
Kansas City Chiefs Injury Report
Along with Thuney, the Chiefs’ offense will be down rookie receiver Skyy Moore, who missed practice Thursday and is out with a hand injury.
Another receiver, Mecole Hardman (abdomen) hasn’t played since Week 9, and though he is finally off injured reserve, is questionable Saturday. Head coach Andy Reid hinted that he’d be on a pitch count if he were to suit up.
Andy Reid said Mecole Hardman will be on a limited snap count if he plays Saturday against the Raiders.
"I know he's going to want to go," Reid said of Hardman. "I'll be holding him back, I'm sure."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) January 5, 2023
Defensively, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (hip) was limited in practice, and is also questionable. Linebacker Nick Bolton (ribs) was a full participant in practice, and is probable to play.
Kicker Harrison Butker missed practice this week with back spasms, but did get in a full practice Thursday. As the Chiefs didn’t bring in another kicker, he’s likely to go, even though he’s listed as questionable.
Las Vegas Raiders Injury Report
After missing practice earlier in the week with his injury, Jacobs missed the past two practices for personal reasons, which means he could play Saturday. He already played through his hip/oblique ailment last week against the 49ers.
With 1608 yards rushing on the year, he enters Week 18 with a 160-yard lead over Cleveland RB Nick Chubb.
The only other Raider on the injury report is linebacker Darien Butler, who is out with a concussion.
High praise for Josh Jacobs. pic.twitter.com/8l9WnHwtmg
— Raider Posts (@RaiderPosts) January 2, 2023
Stidham did find himself on the injury report earlier in the week with a right elbow injury, but will get the start after participating in two full practices. He looked great against the 49ers, throwing for 365 yards and three TD’s, though he did throw two picks.
Davante Adams (illness) was limited early in the week, but should be a go. He should figure prominently in the Chiefs vs Raiders player props.
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How Can Injuries Affect Chiefs vs Raiders Lines?
This line was as low as 7.5 points on January 3, but has since lengthened, taking into consideration Jacobs’ injury and the fact the Chiefs will likely not be resting their starters, unless they can race out to a big lead and cruise.
Still, as mentioned in the Chiefs vs Raiders betting preview, KC are just 3-8 against the spread on the road as TD-plus favorites.
On top of Vegas being a solid bet at home lately, sporting a 5-1 ATS mark at home with three straight covers, you could potentially see this spread shorten by a point or half point.
If Jacobs is a no-go, you can count on the total dipping, and the spread lengthening up at least a half-point.
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Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
