The Kansas City Chiefs will enter Sunday night’s Week 2 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts with two starters ruled out and two defensive players carrying questionable designations.

Left tackle Josh Simmons and safety Chamarri Conner will miss their second consecutive game after sitting out every practice this week. Veteran defensive tackle Chris Jones and rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane remain uncertain because of calf and shoulder injuries, respectively.

The Chiefs received reassuring news on the report. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Rashee Rice, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and defensive ends Ashton Gillotte and R Mason Thomas carry no game designations. All five participated fully Friday.

Kansas City overcame those same absences during its statement-making 31-10 season-opening victory over the Denver Broncos. However, the uncertainty surrounding Jones and Delane could affect how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo constructs his front and secondary rotations.

Chris Jones remains the Chiefs’ most important uncertainty

Jones was limited Wednesday, Thursday and Friday because of the calf injury that first surfaced before Week 1. He ultimately played against the Broncos without a game designation, but another full week of limited work makes his status the biggest concern on the Chiefs’ report.

Head coach Andy Reid offered an encouraging assessment Friday after expressing similar confidence in Jones before the opener. That optimism suggests the Chiefs expect their star defensive tackle to play, although his workload and explosiveness remain worth monitoring.

The Chiefs produced pressure from across the defense against Denver. The unit held the Broncos to 176 total yards, recorded four sacks and allowed only two conversions on 12 third-down attempts. Jones’ ability to collapse the pocket from the interior makes every edge rusher more dangerous.

His availability would also strengthen the Chiefs against Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis can reduce the burden on quarterback Daniel Jones by establishing Taylor between the tackles. Without Jones commanding multiple blockers, Kansas City would need its younger defensive linemen to absorb more demanding snaps.

Chiefs will trust Kahlil Benson at left tackle again

Simmons’ continued absence means undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson is set to make his second NFL start. Benson entered Week 1 in a difficult position because he had to protect Mahomes during the quarterback’s first game since suffering ligament damage in his left knee.

The rookie handled that responsibility well enough for the Chiefs to preserve their offensive plan. Kansas City rushed for 220 yards, while Mahomes took two sacks and helped the offense score 31 points.

Benson now faces the experienced Colts defensive front. His second start should feel less unpredictable, but Simmons’ absence still removes the preferred option at one of the offense’s most important positions. The Chiefs may again use their running game and quick passes to prevent Indianapolis from isolating Benson in obvious passing situations.

Chiefs receive encouraging news in secondary and offensive core

Conner’s absence removes an experienced defensive back from Spagnuolo’s rotation. Delane’s uncertain status compounds that issue after the rookie intercepted Bo Nix early in his debut before injuring his shoulder.

Delane practiced fully Wednesday and Thursday before dropping to limited participation Friday. That late change creates concern, although Sneed’s return to full participation provides the Chiefs with stability at cornerback. Gillotte and Thomas also being cleared preserves Kansas City’s depth along the defensive line.

The most reassuring development is that Mahomes and Rice practiced fully throughout the week despite their knee listings. Mahomes entered the season following an accelerated recovery from his ACL and LCL injuries, making every clean practice week significant.

Kansas City is not at full strength, but the report does not threaten the offense’s central pieces. If Jones and Delane are active, the Chiefs will enter Sunday night with enough continuity to pursue a 2-0 start.