Arguably the most polarizing Chiefs player this season, Kadarius Toney will not play in Sunday's AFC championship game.
The wide receiver was a full participant at practice Wednesday but was limited the next two days. He was originally listed as questionable, but the Chiefs officially ruled him out Saturday ahead of the AFC title match.
Toney has missed six consecutive games after last appearing in Kansas City's Week 15 vs. the Patriots.
The exact reason for his absence against the Ravens is under scrutiny from Toney himself. Here's what he had to say.
MORE: Chiefs vs. Ravens updates, highlights from the 2024 AFC championship game
Why is Kadarius Toney out vs. Ravens?
The 25-year-old wide receiver was listed as out for the AFC championship game due to a hip injury as well as personal reasons.
Toney welcomed his first child into the world Saturday, as NFL Network's James Palmer reported. It was an extra special day, as Toney celebrated his own 25th birthday on Saturday as well.
His injury status, though, has caused a rift between the Chiefs and their wide receiver. Toney took to Instagram Live on Sunday to claim the team is lying about his hip injury.
"I'm not hurt," he said in an expletive-laden monologue.
Kadarius Toney on live saying the chiefs are lying about his injury 😭 pic.twitter.com/vrqDWexuTi
— Head Swiftie (@devindoob) January 28, 2024
Toney has taken the blame from fans for a handful of Chiefs losses this year, including the infamous offside penalty against the Bills. His untimely drops also have been a cause for concern.
So while he is listed as out due to a hip injury and personal reasons (namely, the birth of his daughter), some fans have speculated that Kansas City's decision to keep him out in the AFC championship game is no coincidence. But to falsely designate a player as inactive would be a big risk from the defending Super Bowl champions.
