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Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones is reportedly expected to miss his team's Christmas Day game against the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a calf injury, league sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter Wednesday (December 25) morning.
Jones, 30, the Chiefs' defensive captain, suffered the injury during last Saturday's (December 21) win against the Houston Texans. The All-Pro defensive tackle was listed as questionable in the days leading up to Wednesday's game.
"Chiefs DT Chris Jones is unlikely to play today vs. Pittsburgh due to his calf injury, per league sources. Jones hurt his calf Saturday vs. the Texans, and a short week leading up to the Christmas Day game makes it challenging heading into pre-game warmups," Schefter wrote on his X account.
Jones recored 37 tackles, five sacks, nine tackles for loss and 20 QB hits through his first 15 games of the 2024 NFL season, having served as the centerpiece on defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense throughout the Chiefs' dynasty, which includes winning three Super Bowls in five seasons, as well as back-to-back in the last two years. The former Mississippi State standout is a two-time First-team All-Pro (2022, 2023), a three-time Second-team All-Pro (2018, 2020, 2021) and a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2019-2023).
Kansas City would clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoff picture with a win on Wednesday.