All eyes were on Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs prepared to host the AFC South Champions Houston Texans. His ankle injury against the Browns last week almost gave a heart attack to everyone in Kansas City. But looking at the Chiefs’ list of inactive before their Texans clash might even give you a mini heart attack. As the Chiefs can’t seem to keep themselves out of injury troubles this season.

Even after Mahomes shrugged off his ankle injury to probably start against the Texans. The reigning Super Bowl Champions have a few players still on their list of inactive ahead of week 16. One of those names was supposed to be their answer to left tackle issues. Pro Bowler DJ Humphries was signed as a free agent mid-season to help the Chiefs tighten up their struggling O-line.

Well, coming back from a season-ending knee injury. Humphries only managed to get one start, but that also ended early because of a hamstring. Now, the Chiefs are taking a cautious approach to Humphries’ injuries as Andy Reid shared, “Yeah, we’ve just got to let that hamstring heal. A bit cautious. I don’t want him to go out and do it again.”  As for the Chiefs, he isn’t the only one on their list of inactive. FS Chamarri Conner, T Ethan Driskell, G C.J. Hanson, DE Malik Herring, DT Marlon Tuipulotu, and OLB Joshua Uche are also the unfortunate ones.

To offer you some more insights about the Chiefs’ inactive, their defensive back Chamarri Conner suffered a concussion in week 15. And it seems like he hasn’t managed to clear the concussion protocol on time. As for Joshua Uche, who came from the Patriots. This would be his third consecutive week on the list of inactive with a healthy scratch. Now, coming into the players who are active for the Chiefs.

They have received a massive boost with the return of Hollywood Brown. This will be his first regular-season game with the tag active after dealing with a shoulder injury all season. Besides the Chiefs, their opponents are also dealing with a handful of injuries. Before taking on the reigning Super Bowl Champions on their turf.

Houston Texans facing injury struggles of their own

The AFC South Champions don’t really have a clean slate while taking on Patrick Mahomes Chiefs. They will have two of their key starters on respective lines missing in Kansas City. Their offensive lineman Juice Scruggs is set to miss his second straight game this season. After he sustained a foot injury against the Jags in week 13, Scruggs’ next target would be to return when the Texans take on the Ravens on Christmas Eve.

Now, coming to the defensive side of things. The Texans have ruled out tackle Foley Fatukasi because of an ankle injury he suffered against the Dolphins. It was Fatukasi’s first game back after missing his last three games with a foot injury. As things stand, it will be yet another rehab for the Texans veteran defensive tackle. Besides them, the Texans also ruled out WR John Metchie, LB Devin White, DE Jerry Hughes, OL Nick Broeker, and TE Cade Stover.

However, not everything is doom and gloom for the Texans in Kansas City. They will have LB Christian Harris back from an ankle injury. His debut against Miami on Sunday saw Harris make eight tackles. And the Texans will expect more of the same from their linebacker as they try to stop Patrick Mahomes.