KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs starting left guard Parker Ehinger’s season is over after the rookie sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee Sunday during the team’s 30-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts, a source tells The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com.
(Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
A team spokesperson declined to confirm that Ehinger would be placed on season-ending injured reserve. The Chiefs expect to reveal the signing of running back Bishop Sankey later today. Ehinger moving to injured reserve would clear space on the active roster for Sankey.
Ehinger left Sunday’s game early in the third quarter. The rookie offensive lineman appeared to get rolled up from behind while blocking on a short pass from quarterback Alex Smith to wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Smith left the game two plays later after absorbing his second head injury of the game.
The rookie offensive lineman, a fourth-round pick from Cincinnati, quickly found a home with the Chiefs at left guard. The college left tackled transitioned inside the line during offseason training activities, and he held the job through training camp and the preaseason.
A concussion and foot injury slowed Ehinger early in the season, limiting him to just four starts in his rookie season.
The team reported Ehinger out of Sunday’s game with a knee sprain, and the Chiefs planned a further examination Monday at the team’s training facility.
Monday afternoon, Ehinger sent a Tweet appearing to allude to the severity of the injury.
God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers 🙏🏻
— Parker Ehinger (@Big_Park79) October 31, 2016
Reserve offensive lineman Zach Fulton, who took Ehinger’s spot Sunday, likely moves into the starting left guard position. The third-year veteran has 38 games on his career resume for the Chiefs with 25 starts. He started three games for the Chiefs this season at guard following injuries to Ehinger and right guard Laurent-Duvernay Tardif.
———-
Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and the Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
Follow @MattDerrick
———-
