Hailey
As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their Week 18 regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, attention has shifted from playoff positioning to player health and roster management.
Week 18 often brings strategic decisions, and Kansas City is no exception, especially with several key contributors dealing with injuries, illness, or rest designations.
With the postseason ahead, the Chiefs are expected to limit risk, prioritize recovery, and give opportunities to depth players.
Below is a clear, up-to-date breakdown of which Chiefs players are expected to sit out or be limited against the Raiders, based on injury status, practice participation, and late-season trends.
Why The Chiefs May Rest Players In Week 18
The final week of the regular season is usually about protecting starters and avoiding unnecessary injuries.
Kansas City has navigated a long season with multiple physical setbacks, making conservative decisions logical—especially for players carrying lingering issues or listed under rest-related designations.
Another important factor is workload management. Players who logged heavy snaps throughout the season are often rotated or held out entirely in Week 18, even if they are not officially injured.
Chiefs Players Expected To Sit Out Or Miss Week 18
Based on current status, these players are not expected to play against the Raiders:
Trey Smith – Guard
- Status: Out
- Reason: Ankle injury
- Impact: Kansas City will adjust its interior offensive line, likely relying on backups or rotational linemen.
Jake Briningstool – Tight End
- Status: Out
- Reason: Hamstring injury
- Impact: Reduced tight end depth, with more snaps expected for reserve options.
Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver
- Status: Doubtful
- Reason: Illness
- Impact: Doubtful players rarely suit up, making Worthy very unlikely to play in Week 18.
These three players are the clearest sit-outs due to official designations.
Rest Designations: Players Who Could Be Limited Or Sit
Some Chiefs are not injured in the traditional sense but are being managed carefully.
Isiah Pacheco – Running Back
- Status: Questionable
- Reason: NIR (Rest)
- What It Means: Pacheco could see limited snaps or be inactive to reduce wear and tear.
George Karlaftis – Defensive End
- Status: Questionable
- Reason: NIR (Rest)
- What It Means: Expect either a snap count or increased rotation along the defensive line.
Jerry Tillery – Defensive Line
- Status: Questionable
- Reason: Personal matter
- What It Means: Availability may depend on late clearance or team decision.
Week 18 Sit-Out And Rest Outlook
| Player | Position | Status | Reason | Expected Week 18 Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Smith | Guard | Out | Ankle | Will not play |
| Jake Briningstool | Tight End | Out | Hamstring | Will not play |
| Xavier Worthy | Wide Receiver | Doubtful | Illness | Very unlikely to play |
| Isiah Pacheco | Running Back | Questionable | Rest (NIR) | Limited snaps or inactive |
| George Karlaftis | Defensive End | Questionable | Rest (NIR) | Rotation or snap limit |
| Jerry Tillery | Defensive Line | Questionable | Personal | Game-day decision |
How These Absences Affect The Chiefs’ Game Plan
With several starters sidelined or managed carefully, Kansas City is expected to:
- Rotate younger players heavily
- Reduce offensive and defensive snap loads
- Focus on evaluation rather than aggressive scheming
This approach allows the coaching staff to protect key contributors while also learning more about depth options ahead of the playoffs.
In Week 18 against the Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs are clearly leaning toward a health-first strategy. Trey Smith, Jake Briningstool, and Xavier Worthy are the most likely to sit out completely, while Isiah Pacheco and George Karlaftis could see reduced roles due to rest management.
Fans should expect a heavily rotated lineup, plenty of depth-player snaps, and a game plan designed to finish the regular season safely rather than force unnecessary risks.