The Kansas City Chiefs were without defensive tackle Chris Jones in their AFC Divisional round matchup with the Houston Texans.

It looks like he might not be playing in their matchup with the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship game either.

While that hasn't been decided yet, it's getting dangerously close. According to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com, Jones missed practice again on Thursday.

Jones has been out with a calf injury. And if he is out again on Friday, that will all-but-lock up his absence from the game this weekend.

That would be a serious blow for the Chiefs. Yes, they got through last week without him, but you can't keep expecting everything to work out that way.

Article Continues Below
More Kansas City Chiefs News
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid against the Buffalo Bills during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
1 Kansas City Chiefs player with most to prove at OTAsJaren Kawada ·
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) on the field against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium.
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes names WR who can be among NFL’s ‘best’Douglas Fritz ·
The Nike football jerseys of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and tight end Travis Kelce (87) at the NFL Shop at the Super Bowl LIX Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Patrick Mahomes doesn’t think end is near for Travis KelceBen Strauss ·
Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Patrick Mahomes’ new look at OTAs has fans buzzingMike Gianakos ·
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) takes the field to practice before the 2024 AFC divisional round game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ blunt take on playing Olympic flag footballJaren Kawada ·
NFL news: Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl rematch seemed most likely by ESPN projections
Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl rematch seemed most likely by ESPN projectionsChris Spiering ·

Jones led the Chiefs in 2019 in sacks with nine. He also had 9.5 tackles for loss, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

It's pretty clear that he was one of the most important players on the defense. In fact, he was one of  the most important players on the entire team this season. So missing him in the AFC Championship would not be great.

The Chiefs proved they could win without him last week, but as they get deeper in the playoffs, the challenges will only get harder. If Kansas City wins this game, they will be headed to the Super Bowl to face either the Green Bay Packers or the San Francisco 49ers.

If Jones does indeed miss the upcoming game, hopefully for him he will still have a chance to play in the Super Bowl. And if that's the case, he'll have a few weeks to rest up and get healthy.