KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kendall Fuller underwent surgery on a thumb injury Friday, but Chiefs head coach Andy Reid says he expects a quick recovery for the cornerback, who could play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
“He's doing well,” Reid said during his Monday press conference. “This is a short-term thing, there's a good chance he has an opportunity to play in the game coming up here.”
Fuller injured his right thumb in Week 14 in victory against the Baltimore Ravens. He opted to play with a temporary cast on his wrist in Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Delaying surgery until Friday provided additional recovery time before the team's Week 16 trip to Seattle.
The injury didn't seem to slow Fuller too much against the Chargers. He played all 74 defensive snaps while intercepting a pass and breaking up another along with combining for two tackles. Reid said if Fuller plays Sunday he will again wear a cast on his injured thumb and wrist.
“They'll have something made up for it, yeah,” Reid said. “He kind of had that going into the last game. He was able to function pretty good.”
If Fuller misses any time with the injury, veteran Orlando Scandrick would likely step into the starting role opposite Steven Nelson. One of the team's two rookie corners, Tremon Smith or Charvarius Ward, would then step into the nickel corner position. Both rookies have played sparingly on defense this season, with Smith taking just 16 snaps and Ward only 10. Both players have emerged as key special teams contributors, however.
“They're making progress,” Reid said about the progress of Smith and Ward. “We'd be OK there if we have to play some other guys there if he's not there.”
