Chiefs star Chris Jones returns from aunt’s funeral in Mississippi to play against Ravens

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones flew back from his native Mississippi on Sunday, where he had been attending the funeral of an aunt, and made it to Arrowhead Stadium about 20 minutes before kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens.

Jones’ agents, Jason and Michael Katz, had said the three-time All-Pro planned to play against the Ravens, even though he had been gone the past two days. Jones was added to the injury report Friday with “personal” given as the reason.

Jones boarded a private jet shortly after noon for the flight to Kansas City. There was a police escort waiting to ferry him to the stadium, where the Chiefs were going through their final preparations before facing the Ravens.

The two teams, who met for the AFC title in January 2024, are off to 1-2 starts and desperate to even their record in Week 4.

Jones was born and raised in Houston, Mississippi, a small town in the north-central part of the state. He became a standout at Mississippi State before the Chiefs selected him in the second round of the 2016 draft. Ever since, Jones has been one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the NFL, racking up Pro Bowl selections each of the past six seasons.