Kansas City Chiefs left guard, Joe Thuney, suffered a pectoral strain during Sunday's game, leaving his availability for the upcoming AFC Championship uncertain. Thuney, who has been a reliable presence on the Chiefs' roster, was forced to exit the game after just 37 snaps. However, there is some positive news regarding his injury.

An MRI revealed that Thuney's injury is a strain rather than a tear, which would have ended his season. While this gives hope for his potential participation in Sunday's game, there are no guarantees at this point.

A pectoral strain occurs when the pectoral muscle group, comprising the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor muscles, is put under excessive forceful contraction while in a stretched position. Typically, the larger pectoralis major muscle is more active in shoulder movement, while the pectoralis minor serves as a stabilizer for the scapula.

Thuney's injury presents with pain at the anterior chest wall and shoulder, localized swelling and bruising, and decreased strength, particularly in pushing with his arm. Immediate treatment will focus on controlling swelling and providing active movement and stretching to reduce tension in the affected arm.

Given the nature of the injury and the demands of Thuney's position as a lineman, the Chiefs are expected to take a conservative approach in managing his injury. It is unlikely that Thuney will participate in extensive practice sessions this week, if at all.

Losing Thuney for the AFC Championship would be a significant blow to the Chiefs' offense. Thuney is known for his versatility, having played every position along the offensive line, and brings valuable leadership and experience to the team, notably from his time with the New England Patriots. He has started in a total of 18 postseason games and holds three Super Bowl rings.

In their game against the Buffalo Bills, Thuney played a crucial role in containing the pass rush, allowing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to have an efficient day as a passer. The Bills' Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones were unable to generate any pressures on 38 combined pass rushes, with Oliver experiencing his first game without a pressure since Week 13, 2021.

The Chiefs' medical staff will work diligently to assess Thuney's condition and try to get him in a position to play on Sunday. However, the road to recovery for pectoral strains, especially for large muscles like the pectoral group, can take time. Thuney's toughness and commitment are unquestionable, as he has only missed two starts in his eight-year career.

Should Thuney not be able to play, veteran backup guard Nick Allegretti will serve as a strong replacement. Additionally, if the Chiefs advance to Super Bowl LVIII, Thuney would have two extra weeks to recover, potentially boosting his chances of returning for the ultimate game.

The Chiefs' faithful will anxiously await updates on Thuney's progress throughout this crucial week leading up to the AFC Championship. His presence on the field would undoubtedly be a major boost for Kansas City's offensive line as they seek to secure another shot at the Super Bowl.