Chiefs without All Pro DT Chris Jones for game vs. Steelers

Two-time reigning AP NFL All Pro Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones was not in uniform for Wednesday’s game at the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a calf injury four days prior in Kansas City’s win against the Houston Texans.

Jones, who has been part of all three recent Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning teams, did not take part in the only practice of the abbreviated work week and on Tuesday was given a questionable designation on the league-mandated status report for Wednesday.

Veteran Mike Pennel started in place of Jones.

“They ran some nickel 3-3, but we anticipated that,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of the Chiefs’ schematic adjustments without their most decorated defensive player. “We knew his availability might be in question, so I don’t know that it was anything that was a shock, to be quite honest with you.

“We just didn’t perform well enough.”

Also out

Kansas City was also without left tackle D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and reserve safety Chamarri Conner (concussion), but starting right tackle Jawaaan Taylor played despite being given a questionable designation because of a knee injury.

Kansas City’s healthy inactives were backup defensive ends Joshua Uche and Malik Herring as well as reserve offensive linemen offensive linemen C.J. Hanson and Ethan Driskel.

Smith, Lowry scratched

Veteran outside linebacker Preston Smith was a surprise inactive for the Steelers, apparently a healthy scratch. Smith, who has 69½ sacks in his career, was acquired early last month via trade. But with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig healthy, the Steelers elected to leave Jeremiah Moon as their fourth OLB. Moon plays extensively on special teams.

Also inactive for the Steelers was veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry.

It had been announced Tuesday that the Steelers would be without starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and wide receiver Ben Skowronek. Porter suffered a knee injury and Skowronek a hip injury during the loss at the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.

Justin Fields is also still ailing from an abdominal injury suffered Dec. 15 in a loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. Though he was in uniform Wednesday, Fields was relegated to “emergency” No. 3 quarterback duties with Kyle Allen serving as the backup to Russell Wilson.