Raiders Injury Report Update: Defense Limited Again Before Kansas City Chiefs Week 14 Showdown

Entering perhaps one of their most critical games of the season, the Oakland Raiders defense will lack depth at linebacker, defensive tackle, and in the secondary when they face the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.

Prior to departing for Kansas City, Oakland wrapped up its final practice of the week Wednesday and listed linebacker Shilique Calhoun (knee), safety Karl Joseph (toe) and defensive tackle Stacy McGee (ankle) as out, while linebacker Cory James (shoulder), defensive tackle Darius Latham (ankle) and offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele (knee) were considered questionable.

The rookie Calhoun will miss his third straight game with the same injury, while McGee will miss his second. Joseph, the Raiders' first-round pick in 2016, will the first game of his career. Joseph is second on the team with 60 total tackles and tied for fourth with six passes defensed over 12 games, but suffered the injury during Sunday’s comeback victory against Buffalo. He was reportedly seen in a walking boot on Monday.

All three did not participate in any practice leading up to Thursday’s crucial matchup with Kansas City.

However, Latham has been upgraded after missing Week 13. The 22-year-old returned to practice as a limited participant Wednesday, and his possible return does help offset the loss of McGee. Latham serves as McGee’s backup on the depth chart.

Osemele, who Oakland signed as a free agent in the offseason, hasn’t missed a game all season, and like Week 13 he was a limited participant in every practice this week. He’s started all 12 games this season for the NFL’s best pass-protection unit, which has allowed only 12 sacks all season.

The Raiders will need Osemele and as many bodies on the offensive line as possible to fend off Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford. The third-year budding star is tied for third in the NFL with 10.0 sacks, though he’s yet to record one in the last two games.

On the other side of the field, the Chiefs are relatively healthy. Defensive tackle Dontari Poe (back) and defensive lineman Kendall Reyes (knee) are each listed as questionable but fully participated in Tuesday and Wednesday’s practice sessions after being limited on Monday.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (groin), linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) and cornerback Phillip Gaines (knee) also made the injury report but they are expected to play.