How the Kansas City Chiefs’ snap counts shook out with no Chris Jones or Travis Kelce

The absence of tight end Travis Kelce, with a hyperextended knee suffered two days before the opening game, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, holding out in a contract dispute, provided opportunities for other players. Here’s who stepped in during the Chiefs’ 21-20 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday.

Noah Gray started at tight ended and logged a career best 57 snaps. Backup Blake Bell played 26 snaps and caught the second touchdown pass of his nine-year career.

The Chiefs have been working with different interior defensive linemen throughout training camp and the preseason with Jones out. Veteran Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton started at tackle. Wharton played his first game since Week 5 last season when he suffered a torn ACL.

But the most snaps at tackle went to Matt Dickerson, who was elevated from the practice squad on Thursday. In his first game with the Chiefs, Dickerson, a third-year tackle, played 41 snaps, the most he’s recorded in a regular-season game.

Snaps for Kansas City Chiefs rookies

Here are the snap counts for players drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023.

First-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah played 19 snaps and recorded two quarterback hurries. Wide receiver Rashee Rice, a second-round pick, was in on 20 plays and caught a touchdown pass among his three receptions.

Fourth-rounder Chamarri Conner started in the secondary and got 10 snaps on defense and 21 on special teams. Defensive tackle Keondre Coburn, a sixth-round pick, played nine snaps and was credited with a tackle for loss.