Chiefs starters likely to play 'a series or two'

Chiefs HC Andy Reid will likely rest some of his starters in Week 17:

“I’m going to work some guys in,” Reid said. “Most of them have already worked in. … I talked to the team, and I will have it figured out by the end of the week exactly how I’m going to work it.”

Translated, that means the Chiefs, 11-4, likely will approach this game against San Diego, 8-7, much like Reid did four times in Philadelphia when his Eagles’ teams were locked into playoff positions going into a final week, the same way most teams approach a final preseason game.

He’ll give the starters a series or two and then go to the backups. Unlike in the preseason, a team with 53 players on the active roster can’t rest everyone. But don’t expect to see much of quarterback Alex Smith, running back Jamaal Charles or outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who did not practice Tuesday because of a swollen knee.

With Charles likely playing a low number of snaps, Knile Davis is likely to see a career high in touches against the Chargers. This is why we recommend that leagues wrap up their finals Week 16 or earlier. It's a shame that championship-caliber teams with Charles won't be able to use their star RB in the title game.