In the eagerly awaited Super Bowl battle, the Kansas City Chiefs have confirmed that running back Jerick McKinnon and wide receiver Skyy Moore are set to play against the San Francisco 49ers. It’s been almost two months since their last appearance on the field.
Both McKinnon and Moore were instrumental in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory over the Eagles last year, but they have been sidelined since a December game in New England. While McKinnon underwent a core muscle surgery in early January and was questionable for the Super Bowl, Moore returned from injured reserve following a knee injury that had kept him out of action.
Notably, during the previous Super Bowl, Moore contributed with a touchdown reception, while McKinnon made a tactical play in the final minutes, allowing the Chiefs to control the game’s clock before Harrison Butker kicked the decisive field goal for their win in Arizona.
This season, McKinnon’s role in the run game was limited, with only 21 attempts for 60 yards and one touchdown across 12 games. However, his contribution as a receiver out of the backfield was significant, catching 25 passes for 192 yards and adding four touchdowns. Moore, on the other hand, had his struggles with drops early in the season but managed to total 21 catches for 244 yards and scored once in his 14 games.
Notably absent for the Chiefs was wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who, despite scoring a touchdown in last year’s Super Bowl, was not active due to his battle with hip issues and his known dropped passes and mental errors throughout the season. Toney had also created controversy with what seemed to be critical comments about the Chiefs’ handling of his injury status, though he later clarified those remarks were aimed at his previous team, the New York Giants.
The Chiefs’ inactives were rounded out with wide receiver Justyn Ross, running back La’Mical Perine, cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe, linebacker Darius Harris, and pass rusher BJ Thompson.
As for the San Francisco 49ers, their list of inactive players did not contain any surprises, indicating a stable lineup as they headed into the game. The inactives included defensive linemen TY McGill and Alex Barrett, linebacker Jalen Graham, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, cornerback Samuel Womack III, and offensive lineman Matt Pryor.
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FAQs
Why have Jerick McKinnon and Skyy Moore been inactive for the Chiefs?
McKinnon had undergone surgery for a core muscle injury in early January, and Moore had been dealing with a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve.
What impact did Jerick McKinnon and Skyy Moore have in the previous Super Bowl?
McKinnon ran the clock down before the winning field goal in the previous Super Bowl, and Moore scored a touchdown during that game.
Is Kadarius Toney playing in the Super Bowl?
Kadarius Toney was declared inactive for the Super Bowl, partly due to issues related to hip injuries and past mistakes during the season.
Were there any surprise inactives for the 49ers?
No, there were no surprises among the inactive players for the San Francisco 49ers leading into the Super Bowl.
Conclusion
The activation of Jerick McKinnon and Skyy Moore for the Super Bowl is a significant boost for the Kansas City Chiefs as they aim to secure victory against the San Francisco 49ers. With the experience of the previous Super Bowl and their timely return to the active roster, they bring valuable skills and depth to the Chiefs’ offensive lineup. Despite the absence of wide receiver Kadarius Toney, the team appears ready and well-prepared for the challenge ahead. The anticipation continues to build as fans and analysts alike await what promises to be an exhilarating showdown in one of the sports world’s most-watched events.
