George Karlaftis Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Colts vs Chiefs game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 14, 2025
Past thumb injury
Karlaftis (thumb) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
The Purdue product upgraded from limited practice sessions Wednesday and Thursday to a full go Friday, indicating that he's moved past his thumb injury in time to play in the Week 11 divisional matchup. Now fully healthy, expect Karlaftis to operate as one of Kansas City's top defensive linemen Sunday.
Nov 12, 2025
Tending to thumb issue
Karlaftis (thumb) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis led Chiefs defensive ends in defensive snaps (51) in the last game before their Week 10 bye at Buffalo, and it's not immediately obvious when he suffered the thumb injury. He'll have two more opportunities to practice in full before Kansas City publishes its final practice report of the week Friday.
Oct 28, 2025
Secures sack in win
Karlaftis recorded three total tackles (one solo), including 1.0 sacks, and a pass defensed in Monday night's 28-7 win over the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis was able to get to Marcus Mariota in the first quarter, securing his first full sack since Week 4. The defensive lineman has now registered 26 total tackles (16 solo), including 4.5 sacks, while also adding two passes defensed and a fumble recovery over eight games this year.
Oct 7, 2025
Recovers fumble in loss
Karlaftis recorded two total tackles (one solo), including 0.5 sacks, while also recovering a fumble in Monday's 31-28 loss to Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis was held to two tackles for the second straight week, but he was still able to combine with Leo Chenal to sack Trevor Lawrence in the fourth quarter. Additionally, he was able to hop on loose ball after Nick Bolton stripped Lawrence in the second quarter, notching his first fumble recovery since 2022. Karlaftis has now registered 20 total tackles (14 solo), including 3.5 sacks, while also adding a pass defensed and a fumble recovery over five games this year.
Sep 30, 2025
Another sack in Week 4 win
Karlaftis recorded two tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, in the Chiefs' win over the Ravens on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis has been extremely disruptive through four games to begin the season, as he's already up to 18 tackles (13 solo), including 3.0 sacks and six TFLs, 10 QB hits and one pass breakup on 88 percent of the defensive snaps for Kansas City. Only Nik Bonitto has logged more QB hits (11) than Karlaftis through four games.
Sep 22, 2025
Disruptive on defense Sunday
Karlaftis tallied 10 tackles (eight solo), including 1.0 sacks, and defensed a pass in a 22-9 win over the Giants in Week 3.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis finished second on KC in stops behind Nick Bolton (14). Of Karlaftis' 10 tackles, three went for a loss. One of those was a fourth-quarter sack of Russell Wilson, and Karlaftis also notched three additional QB hits. The fourth-year defensive end has 16 tackles, including 2.0 sacks, through three contests this season.
Sep 7, 2025
Records Week 1 sack
Karlaftis notched three tackles (two solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Friday's Week 1 loss to the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Two of Karlaftis' tackles were behind the line of scrimmage -- he sacked Justin Herbert for a 10-yard loss on Los Angeles' first drive and later assisted on a stop of Omarion Hampton that resulted in a one-yard loss. Karlaftis played 55 of Kansas City's 65 defensive snaps overall, with the 85 percent snap share falling right in the range he typically logged last season. The fourth-year pass rusher is off to a good start after recording 8.0 sacks across 16 regular-season contests last year.
Jul 20, 2025
Lands big extension from KC
Karlaftis agreed to a four-year, $93 million contract with the Chiefs on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Kansas City also picked up Karlaftis' fifth-year option in April, which means he'll now be tied to the team through the 2030 campaign. This new extension also includes $62 million guaranteed, as he's been a key piece of a defense that's won two of the last three Super Bowls. The 2022 first-round pick has tallied 115 tackles and 24.5 sacks while appearing in 49 regular-season games over the past three seasons. Karlaftis and defensive tackle Chris Jones should continue to form one of the NFL's best pass-rushing duos in 2025.
Apr 29, 2025
Fifth-year option exercised
Karlaftis had the fifth-year option picked up on his rookie contract for $15.1 million by the Chiefs on Tuesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis has emerged as a pillar of the Chiefs' defense and he'll now be under contract through the 2026 campaign. The defensive lineman produced 35 total tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed over 16 regular-season games with Kansas City last year. He will likely start opposite of Mike Danna on the team's defensive line in 2025 with Chris Jones and Jerry Tillery ticketed to be sandwiched between them.
Feb 13, 2025
Gets after QB again in 2024
Karlaftis recorded 35 tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and five passes defensed in 16 games during the regular season.
ANALYSIS
The defensive end added 13 tackles (nine solo), including 4.0 sacks, in Kansas City's three playoff games. Karlaftis finished with 10.5 sacks during the 2023 regular season and 6.0 as a rookie in 2022. The 2022 first-round pick also played on more than 700 defensive snaps in 2024 for the third year in a row.
Jan 5, 2025
Not playing against Denver
Karlaftis (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis will get some additional rest since the Chiefs have locked in the AFC's No. 1 seed. He'll end his third NFL regular season with 35 tackles (21 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and five pass defenses across 16 games. Charles Omenihu and Felix Anudike-Uzomah are in line to see more defensive snaps due to Karlaftis' absence.
Jan 3, 2025
Doubtful for Sunday
Karlaftis (coach's decision) is listed as doubtful ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
The third-year edge rusher from Purdue's regular-season campaign is likely over, as the Chiefs have already secured the AFC's No. 1 seed and are expected to rest their starters in the Week 18 divisional matchup. Karlaftis appeared in 16 games for Kansas City this season, recording 35 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks, and five passes defended. Charles Omenihu will likely see increased opportunities with the Chiefs' first-team defense if Karlaftis is sidelined Sunday.
Nov 7, 2024
Upgrades to full Thursday
Karlaftis (abdomen) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis was limited Wednesday but seems fine ahead of Sunday's date with the Broncos. On the season, Karlaftis has recorded 22 tackles (12 solo), including 4.0 sacks, 13 QB hits and two pass deflections.
Nov 6, 2024
Limited Wednesday
Karlaftis (abdomen) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
The third-year pro from Purdue played 33 defensive snaps and recorded four total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, in the Chiefs' Week 9 win over the Buccaneers. However, it now appears he picked up an abdomen injury in the process. Karlaftis' participation Thursday and Friday will likely provide the best indication of whether he can play through the pain in Week 10's matchup against the Broncos.
Nov 5, 2024
Logs sack in third straight game
Karlaftis finished Monday's 30-24 overtime win over Tampa Bay with four tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass breakup.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis got to Baker Mayfield for a two-yard sack late in the first quarter of Monday's game. That extended his sack streak to three games, and through the first eight games of the regular season he's up to 22 tackles (12 solo), including 4.0 sacks, and two pass breakups.
Oct 22, 2024
Records sack in win
Karlaftis finished with three tackles (two solo), including a tackle for a loss and 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 28-18 win over the 49ers.
ANALYSIS
The defensive end also played on 89 percent of the defensive snaps. Karlaftis has 14 tackles (eight solo), including 2.0 sacks, in six games this season.
Jan 18, 2024
Makes strides in sophomore campaign
Karlaftis compiled 47 tackles (29 solo) and 10.5 sacks over 16 games during the 2023 regular season.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis displayed some signs of a breakout down the stretch of the 2022 campaign, amassing all 6.5 sacks over the final nine games of the campaign, and he didn't let his foot off the gas in year two, reaching double digits in the sacks column despite sitting out the regular-season finale against the Bengals. He's only in his second year of a four or, most likely, five-year rookie deal with the fifth-year option for first-round picks, and Karlaftis should be an annual candidate for double-digit sacks.
Jan 7, 2024
Will suit up Week 18
Karlaftis (rest) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis will suit up for the Chiefs' regular-season finale. However, with the team locked into the third seed in the AFC, he'll likely see limited action Sunday, if any at all. He has 47 tackles (29 solo), including 10.5 sacks, and a forced fumble over the first 16 games of the season.
Jan 5, 2024
Questionable for Week 18
Karlaftis (rest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis was a full participant at practice Friday, but his availability for Week 18 is in doubt nonetheless. The Chiefs are already locked into the AFC's third seed, so it would make some sense for them to rest Karlaftis on Sunday.
Jan 1, 2024
Adds to sack count in win
Karlaftis finished Sunday's 25-17 win over the Bengals with five tackles (four solo), including 1.5 sacks.
ANALYSIS
Both of Karlaftis' sacks came in the fourth quarter. His first was split with Charles Omenihu for a seven-yard loss, and Karlaftis got a sack of his own on Jake Browning with less than two minutes to go in the game that helped seal the win for the Chiefs. Karlaftis has a team-leading 10.5 sacks over 16 games this season and is tied for 16th in the league in that category.
Nov 28, 2023
Logs another sack in win
Karlaftis recorded three total tackles (all solo), including one sack and one tackle for loss in Sunday's 31-17 win over the Raiders.
ANALYSIS
The 2022 first-round pick has now recorded eight sacks through Kansas City's first 11 games, overtaking Chris Jones as the team's leader in that category. Karlaftis started all 17 games for the Chiefs during his rookie season, and he's already bested his 2022 totals in sacks, tackles, and forced fumbles thus far. The 22-year-old seems like a budding star, and he's expected to continue wreaking havoc for Kansas City's defense for the remainder of the season.
Oct 31, 2023
Career day in loss to Broncos
Karlaftis recorded seven tackles (four solo), 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble during Sunday's loss to the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis had a career day during Sunday's road loss at Denver, highlighted by a strip-sack of Russell Wilson just before the end of the first half. The 2022 first-round pick has already tied his rookie year sack total, emerging as a legitimate threat for opposing O-lines that opt to double cover Chris Jones. He will work to keep his momentum up versus the Dolphins in Germany in Week 9.
Oct 12, 2023
Active Thursday
Karlaftis (hamstring) is playing Thursday night against the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
The second-year pro was a limited participant in practices earlier in the week and carried a questionable tag into Thursday. The 2022 first-round pick has 15 tackles, four quarterback hits, two sacks and one pass defensed in five starts this season.
Oct 11, 2023
Questionable for Thursday
Karlaftis (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Denver.
ANALYSIS
The Chiefs listed Karlaftis as a limited practice participant Monday through Wednesday, after he handled his normal workload (79 percent snap share) in a 27-20 win over the Vikings on Sunday. The 2022 first-round pick has 48 tackles and eight sacks through 22 regular-season games (all starts), and an absence Thursday night would free up DE snaps for Felix Anudike-Uzomah and/or Malik Herring.
Sep 18, 2023
Productive in win
Karlaftis recorded four tackles and 1.5 sacks in Sunday's 17-9 win at Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
Trevor Lawrence was sacked four times in Week 2, and Karlaftis got in on the action, collecting 1.5 sacks of his own. The sophomore defensive end turned things up a notch towards the end of the 2022 season, and that play has carried into 2023, at least so far. If he keeps up the pace, he'll be a hot option in the IDP market by the end of the year.
Jan 17, 2023
Rounds into form late in 2022
Karlaftis compiled 33 tackles (18 solo), six sacks and seven passes defensed during his rookie campaign in 2022.
ANALYSIS
Karlaftis took some time to round into form as a pass-rusher, compiling just half a sack over the first 10 games. However, once he found his form, he never looked back. Karlaftis finished the regular season on a tear, recording 5.5 sacks over the final seven games to give the Chiefs a pass-rush threat on both sides of the defensive line opposite Frank Clark and in the middle with star defensive tackle Chris Jones. Karlaftis may go a bit under the radar entering 2022, given his overall sack total, but his strong close to the regular season could make him worth a look as a defensive line IDP in some formats next season.
Dec 15, 2022
Three sacks in three weeks
Karlaftis recorded three tackles -- including a sack -- and was credited with a pass breakup in Sunday's 34-28 win over the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
The rookie first-round pick out of Purdue has been quiet for most of the season, but he's beginning to emerge as a more disruptive force off the edge in the Chiefs' 4-3 base defense. Though he's only accrued 3.5 sacks through his first 13 appearances, three of those sacks have come in the last three weeks.
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