Chiefs vs. 49ers, Week 7 preview | KCSN Daily 10.21
Plus players to watch, final injury report, podcasts and more Chiefs news.
Welcome back to the newest issue of KCSN Daily, where we deliver the best Kansas City Chiefs content.
The Chiefs will face the 49ers in Santa Clara, California at Levi’s Stadium in Week 7. It’s the last game before the bye week for the organization. Kickoff is set for Sunday at 3:25 p.m. CT on Oct. 23. It will be televised on most FOX stations around the country with Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen and Erin Andrews on the call.
The next home game for the Chiefs will be after the bye week on Sunday, Nov. 6 against the Tennessee Titans. You can find tickets for that game below:
KC Laboratory - Chiefs vs. 49ers preview:
KCSN’s Kent Swanson and Matt Lane preview the Kansas City Chiefs and San Fransisco 49ers game this Sunday.
Final injury report:
Chiefs:
DNP: CB Rashad Fenton (Hamstring).
LP: DE Mike Danna (Calf).
FP: LG Joe Thuney (Ankle), S Bryan Cook (Concussion), K Harrison Butker (Ankle), Trey Smith (Pectoral), WR Mecole Hardman (Heel), and CB L’Jarius Sneed (Knee).
Game status designations: CB Rashad Fenton (Out), LG Joe Thuney (Questionable) and DE Mike Danna (Questionable).
49ers:
DNP: DT Arik Armstead (Foot/Ankle).
LP: CB Charvarius Ward (Groin) and S Talanoa Hufanga (Concussion).
FP: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (Knee), TE Tyler Kroft (Knee), TE Charlie Woerner (Shoulder), LT Trent Williams (Ankle), DE Nick Bosa (Groin), DE Samson Ebukam (Achilles), RT Mike McGlinchey (Calf), S Jimmie Ward (Hand) and LB Drake Jackson (Knee).
Game status designations: DT Arik Armstead (Out), S Talanoa Hufanga (Questionable) and CB Charvarius Ward (Questionable).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related), Out (Ruled out), Doubtful (Unlikely to play) Questionable (A chance to play), Probable (Likely to play).
Notes:
The Chiefs are not required to list CB Trent McDuffie on the injury report until he’s been activated from injured reserve. The team has until 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday to activate McDuffie for him to be eligible to play in Week 7.
KCSN Update:
KCSN’s BJ Kissel catches up with Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus to talk about his three key matchups for the Kansas City Chiefs in their game this Sunday against the San Fransisco 49ers.
Players to watch in Week 7:
LB Willie Gay Jr.: The “Juice Man” of the Chiefs’ defense is expected back in the lineup after serving his four-game suspension. Next to Chris Jones, Gay Jr. has been one of the team’s most impactful defenders. His range from the middle of the field is a boon that the team has missed. Against a team that has a nearly 50/50 run-pass split, his return will be a welcomed addition.
RT Andrew Wylie: Last week was not a good one for the offensive line, but it was a big struggle for Wylie. He surrendered three sacks against the Bills, with two coming against future Hall of Famer Von Miller. This week, he’s in for a healthy dose of Nick Bosa, Samson Ebukam, Drake Jackson and Charles Omenihu. Will he be able to put together a bounce-back performance? Will the Chiefs even give him that chance or could Geron Christian or Prince Tega Wanogho get a shot?
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: Against the Bills in Week 6, Smith-Schuster had a breakout performance. He put together his first 100-yard receiving performance since 2019 and he scored his first career touchdown with the Chiefs. Can Smith-Schuster stack back-to-back big weeks in the passing game? That’d be ideal against a corner group that could include an ailing Charvarius Ward and third-string CB Deommodore Lenoir.
S Justin Reid: After the Week 6 game, Reid was the first to admit that he wished he could have some plays back against the Bills. Whether it was being posterized by a Josh Allen hurdle or a missed opportunity in the passing game, Reid missed out on a few chances to make a significant impact. He’ll need to be on top of his game this week against a dual-threat offensive weapon in 49ers WR Deebo Samuel.
Quotable:
“Yeah, I can’t get into all that. He’s a heck of a football player, that I can tell you. I don’t know where he is as far as his rehab goes and that whole deal. Nor do I know what (General Manager) Brett (Veach) – Brett’s always maneuvering. He keeps his eyes open on everything. In my position, I’m like tunneled in on what I’m doing and trying to get the team ready to play with the guys we got. But I’m not going to slight him, he’s a good football player.” - Andy Reid on Odell Beckham Jr. rumors
“Yeah, so we know he’s a talented guy. I’m sure they’ll work him in. We’re expecting that. You just prepare for what he does well, and (49ers Head Coach) Kyle (Shanahan) will use him (with) what he does well, I’m sure.” - Andy Reid on preparing for Christian McCaffrey
Quick Hits:
From the 49ers: In case you missed the big news last night, San Francisco acquired RB Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in a blockbuster trade. Will McCaffrey suit up and play against the Chiefs on Sunday? He wants to play according to 49ers GM John Lynch, but the quick turnaround could make it difficult. McCaffrey did get some practice in on Friday.
From Big Red: Andy Reid was vague to start the week about Willie Gay Jr.’s availability for Week 7, but he didn’t mince words on Friday. It’s a safe bet that the third-year linebacker is back on the field for the first time since Week 2.
From PFF: They might grade him poorly on a week-to-week basis, but Pro Football Focus is a fan of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ performance (and TE Travis Kelce’s) on key downs. Right now, they’re collectively the two highest-graded players in the NFL on third and fourth down plays.
Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3:25 p.m. CT - Week 7: Chiefs vs. 49ers - Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara, CA
Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 p.m. CT - NFL Trade Deadline
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