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.
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Maclin and Houston both were limited in practice Thursday, per Reid, and linebacker Tamba Hali did not participate as he nurses a broken thumb and swollen knees. Maclin missed all three practices this week, while Houston sat out his first on Friday.
Maclin’s absence would be a huge loss for quarterback Alex Smith and the Chiefs’ offense, as he led the team with 87 receptions, 1088 yards and eight touchdowns during the regular season.
After battling through an ankle injury all week leading up to this one, Maclin is indeed active for the Chiefs and will be on the field to try and help them advance to the AFC Championship Game.
Also listed as questionable against New England are running back Spencer Ware (ankle) and receiver Albert Wilson (hamstring). Then early this afternoon, Darlington’s colleague Ian Rapoport reported that Maclin was struggled to walk earlier in the week.
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According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Chiefs are now a 5-point underdog versus the Patriots while the over/under sits at 43.5 points.
