The offensive line injuries have gotten the most attention, but the Kansas City Chiefs also suffered another key secondary injury against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13, and there was good news on that front as KC heads into Week 14.

With nickel/safety Christian Roland-Wallace already missing in action, the Chiefs lost veteran starter Bryan Cook to an ankle injury versus the Cowboys. Fortunately, it appears Cook avoided a major injury.

“Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, who sprained his ankle Thursday vs. Dallas, avoided a high-ankle, per source,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on November 29.

Fowler added that Cook is “still awaiting more info,” but noted that this is “a good early sign.”

Bryan Cook Has Become an Underrated Chiefs Leader on the Back End of the Defense

If you include the playoffs, Cook has started a total of 45 games for Kansas City since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2022.

His run as a full-time starter really began in 2023, as the Chiefs moved on from Juan Thornhill in free agency.

Cook has always been known as a vocal leader of this secondary, really, since the tail end of his rookie season. He was drafted to help replace Tyrann Mathieu, and he’s done an underrated job overall since joining the organization, contributing to two Super Bowl champion rosters and one runner-up in 2024.

Cook missed the final stretch of the 2023 season with another ankle injury, so his departure from Chiefs-Cowboys may have felt eerily similar to some. His 2023 campaign ended with 12 starts, which is the same number of starts that he currently has in 2025.

But this positive injury update news should alter the Chiefs safety’s prognosis this time around.

While it’s unclear if Cook will be back for the Week 14 matchup with the Houston Texans, it feels possible, based on Fowler’s update. That’s already a major step in the right direction, compared to 2023.

Who Would Play in Week 14 if Bryan Cook Doesn’t Suit Up for Chiefs?

Cook’s Week 14 injury status still appears to be TBD, despite avoiding a major injury. If the reliable starter does not suit up for the Chiefs in Week 14, expect a similar replacement plan to what we saw against the Cowboys.

Veteran Mike Edwards was elevated from the practice squad for Week 13, and he ended up playing a total of 46 defensive snaps, following Cook’s departure.

Ironically, a slightly younger Edwards also stepped in for Cook in 2023. So, he is clearly well-suited for the role.

Expect Edwards to be elevated from the practice squad again versus the Texans if Cook is ruled out, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll start. Roland-Wallace could return from injury in Week 14, and that would add another defensive back to the mix.

With Roland-Wallace sidelined against the Cowboys, safeties Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks played more nickel. But if Roland-Wallace is holding down the nickel role, it would allow Conner and Hicks to start at safety, potentially, with Edwards as the next man up off the bench.

This could be a better replacement plan for Cook, should he miss time, as Edwards is getting older and should not necessarily be relied on as a full-time starter. We’ll continue to monitor Chiefs injury news and updates leading up to Week 14.