Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney is holding out dwindling hope he’ll be able to play in Super Bowl LVIII after missing the AFC Championship Game with a pectoral injury.
“Feeling alright,” Thuney said Wednesday. “Just trying to control what I can control and I think we’ll know more as the game gets closer.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thuney’s chances to be active for the game are “slim.” Nick Allegretti is preparing to fill in for Thuney, a three-time Super Bowl champion, as he did in Kansas City’s victory at Baltimore two weeks ago.
“Four Super Bowls in five years, it’s hard to fathom. Definitely emotional last week,” Allegretti said of his chance to start at Baltimore. “It definitely doesn’t get old.”
Thuney said he was “so proud” of Allegretti’s performance and expects him to excel if he’s back in the starting role this week.
“Not trying to think too much, do what I can each day,” Thuney said.
Thuney, 31, started the first 19 games of the season, including the wild-card game against the Miami Dolphins. His injury typically requires a recovery of four to six weeks. He was injured in the divisional playoff win at Buffalo on Jan. 21.
Also Wednesday, the Chiefs activated wide receiver Skyy Moore off injured reserve. The Chiefs designated Moore to return from injured reserve during the playoffs and had until Wednesday, when the 21-day window closed, to activate him or he would go on the season-ending IR.
Moore, 23, has not played since a win at the New England Patriots on Dec. 17, when he had no targets and aggravated the knee. He was initially injured a week earlier in a home loss to the Buffalo Bills without recording a catch. For the season, he has played in 14 games (eight starts) and caught 21 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown.
The Chiefs selected Moore in the second round (45th overall) of the 2022 NFL draft out of Western Michigan. He has 43 receptions for 494 yards and one TD, and has rushed six times for 47 yards in 30 games (11 starts).
Kansas City also placed defensive end Charles Omenihu, 26, on injured reserve after he tore an ACL during the AFC Championship Game.
Field Level Media contributed to this report.
