KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs will rotate the offensive line another week, but this time around isn’t based on performance.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Starting left guard Ben Grubbs (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in London.
Grubbs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, did not practice Wednesday and was not on the field Thursday during the portion of practice open to the media.
His absence places a large question mark over the offensive line, but coach Andy Reid appeared at ease Wednesday with potential backups.
“We’ve got guys that we feel comfortable playing,” Reid said, “but we’ll see how it all rolls.”
The trick is now figuring out who the Chiefs have in mind and there are players to choose from. But whatever the Chiefs do, a reshuffling of the current lineup will occur.
Jeff Allen, who started at right tackle in Week 7, started at left guard in 2013, so he could be a natural choice if the Chiefs are comfortable with Donald Stephenson at right tackle.
The Chiefs could also move Eric Fisher to right tackle and reinsert Stephenson at left tackle.
Should Allen stand pat, the Chiefs could move starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to left guard, a spot he played last season in his rookie campaign, and reinsert Zach Fulton at right guard.
Offensive lineman Jah Reid, who has been a healthy inactive after starting the first two games of the season, is also available as a backup and he offers versatility at tackle and guard.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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