The Kansas City Chiefs are eliminated from playoff contention heading into Week 16, but there's still meaningful player development that can take place over the final three games, and that process will begin on Sunday as the Chiefs take on the Tennessee Titans.

Here are five things to keep in mind heading into game day.

1. Here's a look at the final injury report for both teams.

The Chiefs will be without several players on Sunday, including linebacker Leo Chenal (shoulder), cornerback Trent McDuffie (knee), offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (knee), wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion protocol), offensive Jawaan Taylor (elbow), wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion protocol) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (illness).

In some good news, offensive guard Trey Smith appears to be good to go after missing the last three games due to an ankle injury.

2. Quarterback Gardner Minshew will make his first start for Kansas City.

Minshew will take the field for the 47th start of his career on Sunday, and his first with Kansas City. Minshew takes over for Patrick Mahomes, who was placed on Injured Reserve this week.

"[It's] a quick turnaround from a very emotional game," Minshew said. "Obviously, [there's] the situation with Pat, and the situation with our team's playoff picture, but you know what, you are where you're at, and we have to turn this thing around and go get a win this week."

Minshew certainly brings plenty of experience to the table. He started 20 games for Jacksonville from 2019-20, four games for Philadelphia from 2021-22, and he nearly led the Colts to the postseason in 2023. Now Kansas City's starter for the final three games of the 2025 campaign, he'll have an opportunity to add to that resume.

As for Mahomes, who underwent knee surgery on Monday, Chiefs' Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder reported that the rehab process is already underway.

"[The doctors] said everything that he had in this injury was fixable – [it was] correctable – and it was fixed on Monday night by Dr. [Dan] Cooper," Burkholder said. "He had no artery damage, no nerve damage, no joint surface damage, and no meniscal damage. He's already started rehab down in Dallas – he was there first thing Tuesday morning – and he'll be back here Friday."

Burkholder's complete statement can be found below.

3. In some ways, the Chiefs' preparation for next season can begin right now.

The Chiefs were eliminated from postseason contention last week, marking the first time that Kansas City won't make the playoffs since 2014. It's not at all where the three-time defending AFC champions expected to be coming into the year, but as disappointing as it is, the Chiefs can now get a jump start on their preparation for 2026 in regard to player development.

Kansas City features several players on its roster who might receive an extended look over the next three weeks, and while these games can't get the Chiefs to the playoffs, they can certainly still be meaningful in terms of individual growth.

There's recent precedent for this process working, too. Just last year, Kingsley Suamataia took the field at guard for the first time as a professional in an otherwise meaningless game against Denver in Week 18. Suamataia played well, providing him with the confidence to attack the offseason training program at his new position. A season later, Suamataia has logged more than 900 snaps at left guard.

The Chiefs will play to win their final three games, and if some of the Chiefs' younger and developmental players can garner significant experience as part of that mission, it may pay off down the road.

4. Ashton Gillotte will have an opportunity to build on last week's performance.

Defensively, one player who fits the aforementioned bill is defensive end Ashton Gillotte, who is coming off his two best games as a professional. Gillotte racked up a career-best five pressures two weeks ago against Houston before filling the box score on Sunday, tallying an interception and a sack against Los Angeles. His continued growth is a major storyline to watch over the remainder of the season.

Elsewhere on defense, the development of cornerbacks Nohl Williams and Kevin Knowles will be something to monitor. Williams has now logged at least 60 defensive snaps in consecutive games while Knowles, who has played primarily on special teams this year, recorded 29 defensive snaps on Sunday.

Knowles, an undrafted free agent signee in the spring, certainly made the most of his time on defense, recording a third-down pass-breakup late in the game.

All three of those players – Gillotte, Williams and Knowles – are potential contributors for next season who – despite the situation in the standings – can still gain valuable experience over the next three weeks.

5. Offensive tackle Esa Pole will have another chance at valuable experience.

The thought process discussed above is also true on offense, where Esa Pole continues to impress after making the first regular-season appearance of his career against Houston. Pole has now allowed just seven pressures across 85 pass-blocking snaps over the last two weeks, and as the Chiefs close out the season, he'll have a golden opportunity to build on that progress prior to the offseason training program.

Another offensive player who may earn an opportunity to show what he can do over the final three weeks is wide receiver Jalen Royals, who has played just 35 snaps this season. A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Royals dealt with injuries early in the year and didn't see much of the field, but these final three games could provide him with the chance to play.

So, those are just a handful of the players who could potentially benefit from this time. Kansas City won't make the postseason this year, but the road to the 2026 campaign is right around the corner, and in terms of player development, that process can essentially begin on Sunday.