Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could be chasing history at Chargers Sunday (if he plays)

For an NFL team, the regular-season finale is an occasion for individual milestone-chasing. But how much of that will happen on Sunday, when the Chiefs play their 17th and game of the 2023 season at the Los Angeles Chargers?

Because the Chiefs are locked into the AFC’s No. 3 seed for the NFL playoffs, coach Andy Reid has said Patrick Mahomes won’t play Sunday. It’s likely several other starters won’t play, either.

Tight end Travis Kelce needs just 16 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the eighth straight season. Reid said Friday that “we’ll see how it all goes,” when asked if Kelce would play in L.A.

The same response could apply to Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, who needs 65 yards to become the franchise’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Kareem Hunt in 2017.

Kelce’s streak of 1,000-yard seasons started in 2016 and peaked with 1,416 yards in 2020, a season record for tight ends.

How crazy is Kelce’s run of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons? No other tight end has recorded more than two in a row.

One Chiefs player who won’t factor into the milestone chase is rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice. Reid has ruled out Rice, who is nursing a hamstring injury. That means Rice will finish 55 yards short of Dwayne Bowe’s 2007 rookie record, and 62 away from 1,000.

The Chiefs have had a thousand-yard receiver each season since 2014.

Last season’s Chiefs, as a No. 1 seed, received a bye and advanced directly into the NFL Divisional Round of the postseason. But if they want to rest players this time, it’ll have to come during a game.

There’s an added benefit of early scouting for the playoffs. The Chiefs entered the weekend with five different possibilities for teams they might meet as their opening-round playoff opponent.

“You try to take advantage of this time as a player and a coach,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “Whether it’s rest for the players — and for the coaches — but also preparation (for the playoffs) and how you do that.”

Here’s what else to watch when the Chiefs meet the Chargers at 3:25 p.m. Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California:

Chiefs player to watch: wide receiver Justyn Ross

Ross completes his first NFL season with a game that should provide plenty of playing time.

He’s appeared in nine games with seven targets and four receptions. He logged a season-best 29 offensive snaps against the Chicago Bears. His best moment to date was a 20-yard reception along the sideline at Minnesota.

Ross, after an outstanding freshman year at Clemson, dealt with injuries that limited his availability through the rest of his college career. Then he missed his first season in Kansas City while recovering from foot surgery.

This game could be a big step forward for Ross as the Chiefs seek difference-makers at wide receiver.

Chargers player to watch: Edge rusher Tuli Tuipuloto

Tuipuloto was the Chargers’ second-round pick, No. 54 overall, but he’s having the best season of the team’s rookies.

Tuipuloto has 4 1/2 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has also excelled against the run. Notably, however, he shows up on the injury report this week (ankle).

Special teams player to watch: Harrison Butker

Some starters will sit for the Chiefs, but not the special teams group of placekicker Harrison Butker, punter Tommy Townsend and long-snapper James Winchester.

Butker is pacing toward the most accurate season of his career. He’s at 93.9% accuracy on field goals (31 of 33). If he doesn’t miss a kick Sunday, he’ll be in good shape there. He’s also enjoying his best season as a pro on extra points, having made all 37 attempts.