Spencer Shrader injured, TE Peyton Hendershot on IR, KC Chiefs make plenty of plays

Despite a 10-1 start to the season, Kansas City Chiefs they have dealt with a seemingly countless number of injuries along the way. Just when it seemed like the reigning Super Bowl champions were getting nothing but good news on this front, they will now face more adversity.

Heading into Friday’s Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, kicker Spencer Shrader and quarterback Peyton Hendershot are dealing with injuries. For Shrader, it’s a hamstring ailment; will miss Tuesday’s training. Hendershot, who left Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers with a calf injury, is on the injured reserve list.

Kansas City already lost its regular kicker, Harrison Butker. Trusted veteran he suffered a meniscus injury during training leading to a Week 11 loss to the Buffalo Bills, which resulted in Shrader being signed from the New York Jets practice squad. The undrafted rookie free agent performed brilliantly in his first two games as Chief, even while making the winning field goal after time expires Sunday in Charlotte. Matthew Wright, who played two seasons for the Chiefs in 2022-23 and made 3 of 4 field goal attempts, is signed to the practice squad as Shrader’s safety.

Hendershot, a third-year pass catcher, was acquired before this year’s roster cut deadline. Traded for a conditional draft pickThe 25-year-old bounced between the active squad and the practice squad, but joined the team on a full basis when Jody Fortson suffered a season-ending knee injury. Hendershot played a total of 36 offensive snaps and 51 special teams reps in Weeks 9-12. The right “insurance policy” for him is for Baylor Cupp to return to the practice squad from the PS/injured list.

To make room for Wright and Cupp on the practice squad, the Chiefs terminated the practice squad contracts of offensive tackle Lucas Niang and defensive end Truman Jones. Niang was selected on Day 2 of the 2020 draft, and Jones has remained with the organization since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

Following injuries to Shrader and Hendershot Joshua Brisco z Kansas City Chiefs on SI broke down, how might this affect the situation.

“Although Shrader and Hendershot are minor names in the great Chiefs football, they play for a reason,” Brisco wrote. “The Chiefs have now lost three tough games with injured reserves following season-ending injuries to rookie Jared Wiley and veteran Jody Fortson, and Hendershot has excelled in his role when pressed into action. A team that previously used four tight ends at times now has just two – Travis Kelce and Noah Gray – who can maneuver throughout the offense. Meanwhile, Shrader’s injury comes at a terribly unfortunate time. After scoring the game-winner against Carolina in Harrison Butker’s absence, the Chiefs may have to play kicker roulette again, hoping that special teams won’t have to decide Friday’s matchup against the Raiders.

Last move: Kansas City did it officially signed left tackle DJ Humphries for a one-year contract. The former Pro Bowler will join the active roster and take the place of defensive end Cameron Thomas. who was acquired in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals in August, but played sparingly during his time with the team. Thomas was released on Tuesday.

The Chiefs’ 53-man roster should now consist of 51 players, which will allow for running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end Charles Omenihu to eventually return from injuries.

Read more: The report sheds light on the Raiders’ QB plans for their Week 13 Black Friday game against the Chiefs