Getty
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 28: Chris Roland-Wallace #30 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Amy Kontras/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs managed to edge the Indianapolis Colts in overtime, 23-20, to keep their realistic playoff hopes alive, and reduce what was once an unassailable Colts lead atop the AFC South to being just one game ahead of 7-4 Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, the closely-fought win did not come without cost. The team saw two key starters, guard Trey Smith – who signed a four year, $94 million extension this past offseason – and nickel back, Chris Roland-Wallace, who has been a breakout player for the team at the position suffer injuries.
Initially, it did not seem too bad for the safety, Roland-Wallace, looking ahead to the team’s Thanksgiving’s bout at the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. However, he was downgraded to only being able to have limited participation on Tuesday, per the team’s injury report.
Chiefs Defensive Back Downgraded In Practice On Tuesday
Chiefs S Chris Roland-Wallace (back) was limited Tuesday. RG Trey Smith (back) and TE Noah Gray (concussion) did not practice.
WR Xavier Worthy (ankle), WR Rashee Rice (hamstring) and LB Leo Chenal (knee) were upgraded to full from the estimate of limited Monday.
“Chiefs S Chris Roland-Wallace (back) was limited Tuesday.” Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick wrote on Tuesday. “RG Trey Smith (back) and TE Noah Gray (concussion) did not practice. WR Xavier Worthy (ankle), WR Rashee Rice (hamstring) and LB Leo Chenal (knee) were upgraded to full from the estimate of limited Monday.”
After the game, head coach, Andy Reid seemed fairly touch-and-go with regards to both Smith and Roland-Wallace’s injuries suffered against Indy.
“As far as the injuries go: Trey Smith hurt his ankle,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said in his post-game press conference. [Backup G Mike] Caliendo came in and did a nice job for him but we’ll see how it is as the days go forward. [CB Chris] Roland-Wallace hurt his lower back, y’know we’ll just see how it goes this week. And then Noah got hit in the head, and so he’ll go through evaluations there, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Chris Roland-Wallace Becoming An Integral Part Of The Secondary
Roland Wallace started the year as hardly even a bit-part player in the secondary, managing just one snap on defense over the course of the first couple of games.
Since being given an opportunity to play additional snaps in week 3, after starting safety Bryan Cook was forced off with a neck injury mid-way through the game, the former 2024 undrafted free agent has carved out a nice role for himself both at safety and in slot, as the utilization rate of fellow safeties, Cook and Jaden Hicks, have ebbed and flowed week-to-week.
Roland-Wallace is one of the highest graded players on the Chiefs defense on the season, according to Pro Football Focus, garnering an excellent 78.8 grade that ranks him as the 7th best safety in the league this year.
Daniel Arwas Daniel Arwas is a sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com. Daniel began his career in sports writing in 2022 and has covered the NFL and college football for Gridiron Heroics and The Hammer. More about Daniel Arwas
More Heavy on Chiefs
Loading more stories