KC Chiefs’ Lucas Niang ‘not ready’ to return to practice from PUP list, Andy Reid says

Chiefs tackle Lucas Niang is eligible to return from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list this week.

But it doesn’t sound like the Chiefs will have Niang on the practice field just yet.

“He’s close, but not quite there yet,” Reid said. “I mean, he’s working through it. He’s not ready to that.”

Niang landed on the PUP list on Aug. 23, meaning he had to spend a minimum of four weeks there before returning to practice. When the second-year pro eventually does return, the Chiefs will have a 21-day window in which to evaluate Niang’s progress before deciding whether to activate him to their 53-player roster or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Niang entered the league in 2020 as a third-round pick with the Chiefs. He opted out of the regular season that year during the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned in 2021 and played nine games at right tackle but hurt his knee in Week 17. He did not participate in any of the Chiefs’ offseason workouts or training camp.

Veteran Andrew Wylie has started at right tackle every game this season.

While the news about Niang could be better, the Chiefs are optimistic that another player who has been sidelined could be close to game action. Rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie, one of KC’s two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, landed on injured reserve after Week 1 with a hamstring injury and is eligible to return to practice in Week 6.

“He’s doing great,” Reid said. “He’s got this week here. I think he’ll get back in there maybe next week.”

Rookie Jaylen Watson has worked in McDuffie’s spot over the past month.