This Chiefs Super Bowl hero faces uncertain playing time for big game vs. 49ers

Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is practicing and was not on the team’s first injury report this week.

But it’s uncertain whether he’ll be used in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub said Toney could employed as a punt returner. Toney set a Super Bowl record last year with a 65-yard return that set up a touchdown as KC beat Philadelphia.

“It’s a possibility,” Toub said. “We’ll see how the week goes and who’s going to be that sixth (wide receiver). He’s definitely in the mix.”

The Chiefs have been happy with Richie James handling punt-return duties for most of the season. James averaged 10 yards per return during the regular season and is averaging 8.1 yards in the playoffs.

Toney was on the inactive list for the Chiefs’ final three games of the regular season and three postseason wins that led them back to the NFL’s biggest stage. He’d been on the injured list with hip and ankle issues.

But early this week, he said on his Instagram account that he wasn’t injured.

“That part’s not made up by any means,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday.

Toney has had a rough season. In the season opener, he let a reception go through his arms, resulting in a pick-six in a one-point loss to the Detroit Lions.

In the Chiefs’ regular-season loss to the Buffalo Bills, Toney was penalized for lining up offside. That wiped out his own touchdown. At New England, a ball went off his hands for an interception.

After that game, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce put his arm around Toney as they left the field.

“I wanted him to know it’s always love in this building,” Kelce said. “I wanted to make sure he knew we were all still behind him and ready to go get the Super Bowl.”