As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for their highly anticipated rematch against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hovering over their preparations.

While star players like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are expected to take the field, the Chiefs may find themselves without a crucial contributor.

Throughout the season and even in the NFL playoffs, the Chiefs have grappled with a multitude of injuries. The AFC Championship Game saw them facing off against the Baltimore Ravens without key players like linebacker Willie Gay Jr., offensive lineman Joe Thuney, running back Jerick McKinnon, wide receiver K’Darius Toney, and nose tackle Derrick Nnandi.

Of particular concern is Joe Thuney, whose absence would be a significant blow to the Chiefs’ offensive line. Thuney boasts impressive stats, including a remarkable 99% ESPN pass-block win rate, ranking first among interior offensive linemen.

In a cruel twist of fate, the Chiefs lost edge rusher Charles Omenihu to a season-ending knee injury during their AFC title triumph. Now, in addition to the absence of one of their primary pass rushers, Kansas City faces the grim possibility of being without a linchpin of their offensive success.

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe has reported that Thuney is in jeopardy of missing the Super Bowl due to a pectoral injury sustained during the AFC Divisional Round, which has prevented him from participating in practice.

There are fears that this injury might be a torn pectoral, an ailment that would likely rule him out of the championship clash. While Thuney undergoes further testing leading up to the Super Bowl, optimism surrounding his availability remains scarce.

In the AFC Championship Game, Joe Thuney’s absence forced the Chiefs to start interior offensive lineman Nick Allegretti, who earned a modest grade of 52.7 from Pro Football Focus.

Although his run-blocking performance left much to be desired, he managed to hold up well in pass protection, conceding only 4 pressures in 52 pass-blocking snaps.

Despite these concerns, there are glimmers of hope on the Chiefs’ injury report as they approach the Super Bowl.

The team has witnessed the return of wide receiver Skyy Moore in a limited capacity during their first three practices of the week. Additionally, there’s optimism that K’Darius Toney could potentially make a comeback against the 49ers.

Equally significant for the Chiefs’ passing offense, there’s a possibility that running back Jerick McKinnon could make a triumphant return.

Designated to return from injured reserve, McKinnon’s practice window opened ahead of the Super Bowl.

Jerick McKinnon brings a unique skill set to the table, particularly as a pass-catcher. Over the past two seasons, this 5-foot-9 running back has tallied 81 receptions for 704 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 103 targets across 29 regular-season games.

With a remarkable 78.1 percent catch rate and averaging 7.7 yards per reception, McKinnon is a reliable outlet for Mahomes.

His return could prove instrumental, offering Mahomes a valuable check-down option, especially when facing the 49ers’ blitzes or relentless pressure in the backfield.