JET STALLED
Kansas City Chiefs suffer injury blow ahead of Super Bowl as Andy Reid provides update on Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon has been on injured reserve since late December
JERICK McKinnon is a major doubt ahead of Super Bowl LVIII - despite traveling with the team to Las Vegas.
The Kansas City Chiefs veteran running back was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this month.
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McKinnon suffered a groin injury in December and underwent surgery on the issue in early January.
The 31-year-old was a key part of the Chiefs offense during the 2022 season, racking up more than 500 receiving yards on 56 receptions.
He has suffered a frustrating year with injuries, missing five games in the regular season and the entirety of the playoffs.
Fans were confident of McKinnon's chances of suiting up in Las Vegas after the Chiefs opened up his IR practice window.
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But Kansas City coach Andy Reid gave an update on Tuesday - and it didn't sound promising for the third-down back.
"Jerick is not practicing. I'd tell you it's slim for him to be out there," Reid told reporters, per The Athletic.
Chiefs supporters were quick to sound their disappointment on social media.
"Well this makes me sad," said one Chiefs fan.
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"Sending my best to Jet, get well soon," wrote another.
"So you're telling me there's still a chance," countered a more optimistic fan.
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Should McKinnon be unavailable, Isaiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will lead the Chiefs backfield against the 49ers.
The pair have provided a strong one-two punch throughout Kansas City's impressive postseason run.
Pacheco has proved a touchdown machine in the playoffs, scoring in every game and adding 254 yards on the ground.
Edwards-Helaire, a first-round pick in 2020, will act as the change-of-pace option for the Chiefs.
He has averaged a career-high 11.1 yards per catch this season from the backfield.