The Kansas City Chiefs, the No. 1 seed, will kick off their playoff campaign this weekend in the divisional round against the Houston Texans. The Chiefs are aiming for their third consecutive Super Bowl title, a feat that would solidify their place as one of the NFL’s dynasties.
However, the Chiefs face tough competition in the AFC this season, with teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Texans standing in their way. The positive news for Kansas City is that they are fully healthy for Saturday’s game, meaning star defender Chris Jones will be back on the field.
Jones suffered a calf injury during the Chiefs’ Week 16 matchup against the Texans, causing him to miss the final two games of the regular season. However, he was a full participant in practice on Tuesday, which bodes well for his availability this weekend.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Jones gave an update on his health following the bye week.
Chiefs News: Chris Jones Feels ‘Really, Really Good’ Ahead of Divisional Round
According to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride, Jones shared that the extra time off has allowed him to recover, and he feels “really, really good” heading into Saturday’s game. In the Chiefs’ Week 16 victory over the Texans, Jones recorded five quarterback pressures, four QB hits, and two combined tackles.
Having a healthy Jones is a huge boost for the Chiefs’ defense and bad news for the Texans’ offensive line. While Jones didn’t register a sack in that game, the Chiefs still managed two sacks and 11 quarterback hits.
In comparison, the Chargers’ defense sacked Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud three times last week, although they only recorded five QB hits. While Jones only had five sacks this season, he posted 38 quarterback pressures and 20 QB hits, showing his ability to disrupt the opposing offense without always finishing the play.
At 30 years old, the Pro Bowler is notching up consistent pressure in the backfield, which is just as valuable as a sack.
