Starting center Mitch Morse is out for the second consecutive playoff game but Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid gave four other key players a shot to play Saturday at New England in the divisional playoff game against the Patriots.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (ankle), outside linebackers Tamba Hali (thumb, knee) and Justin Houston (knee) and running back Spencer Ware (ankle) are officially questionable, meaning they have a 50-50 chance to play.
Morse has a concussion and was not cleared to return. Offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is also out.
Maclin sustained a high ankle sprain Reid described as mild in last week’s 30-0 Wild Card playoff win over the Houston Texans. Maclin has participated in stretching and jogged before team drills Thursday but did not practice this week.
Houston missed all of December with a sprained knee. He played against the Texans but was limited. However, Reid said the issue wasn’t pain for Houston as much as dealing with a new, bulky brace. Hali has not practiced this week.
Ware, the 230-pound power back used a complement to Charcandrick West, was limited in Thursday and Friday’s practice.