If the Kansas City Chiefs are going to make their long-awaited run to a Super Bowl, they are going to have to do it without a key member of their defense.

On Monday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that safety Juan Thornhill suffered a torn ACL during Kansas City's regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, an injury that will obviously knock him out for the playoffs, according to Nate Taylor of The Athletic.

Thornhill, who played his collegiate football at the University of Virginia, was selected by Kansas City in the second round (63rd pick overall) of the NFL Draft back in April.

He was immediately named a starter in the Chiefs' secondary and played in every game this season, registering 57 tackles, three interceptions, five passes defended and a defensive touchdown and was clearly one of the best players on Kansas City's much-maligned defense that has played much better in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old spent four seasons at Virginia, becoming a full-time starter during his sophomore year when he finished with 45 tackles, three picks, a forced fumble and seven passes defended.

Thornhill showed improvement the following year, totaling 63 tackles, four picks and 12 passes defended. He capped off his NCAA career by racking up 98 tackles, six interceptions and seven passes defended during his senior campaign.

The Chiefs came away with a 31-21 victory over the Chargers this past weekend, finishing with a 12-4 record on the year and locking down a first-round bye in the AFC playoff picture for the second straight year.