The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for their AFC Championship matchup on Sunday. However, injuries might come into play in different manners for both sides.
Baltimore has received a piece of good news, as cornerback Marlon Humphrey has reportedly received clearance to play after a positive workout prior to the contest.
After a positive workout pregame, #Ravens All-Pro CB Marlon Humphrey (calf strain) will play today, per me and @RapSheet source said. A pre-game workout was necessary. All positive and no issues. Humphrey is a go. @NFLMedia
— Sherree Burruss (@SherreeBurruss) January 28, 2024
On the other hand, the Chiefs are set to be without linebacker Willie Gay Jr., whose neck spasms appear to have gotten worse hours before the conference championship game.
#chiefs LB Willie Gay (neck spasms) is trending toward not being able to go today per source. It loosened up last night and stiffened up again this morning. He’s trying to get it loose pregame, but it’s not looking great right now I’m told.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024
Humphrey, who was first-team All-Pro in the 2019 season and has made three Pro Bowls in the past several years, made just 10 appearances during the 2023 regular season while dealing with a nagging calf injury that has affected him since late December. Humphrey might not be at full strength.
Even so, the Ravens might need his defensive contribution to help limit the reigning champion and its star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
As for Gay, he was in a pensive mood after Kansas City defeated the Miami Dolphins in the wild-card round because that may have been his last game at Arrowhead Stadium. A free agent at the end of this campaign, the fourth-year pro implied that he could take his talents elsewhere in the offseason.
It’s looking like Ive probably played my last game in arrowhead😢. Damn im going to miss that place. Nothing like it❤️💛 lets go get this Ring to end it the right way🤞🏾
— Willie Gay Jr (@WillieGayJr) January 15, 2024
He may have already suited up for the last time for the Chiefs.
Kansas City is already facing an uphill battle against the Ravens. Not only will Mahomes and company have to deal with a rowdy Baltimore crowd, but they are also dealing with injuries to other players. Some of the names on the injury report include Kadarius Toney and Joe Thuney.
Still, it’s tough to write Mahomes off, as the two-time MVP has often found a way to deliver wins for the Chiefs. For instance, this is the sixth time in as many years that the squad is playing in the AFC Championship Game.
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will certainly do his best, though, to provide Baltimore with an offense good enough to take down Kansas City and reach his first-ever Super Bowl.
