KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tuesday brought optimism Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston could be available for the opening round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans.
Jan. 3, 2016; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (in sweatshirt) greets teammates as they come to the sideline against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium. (Emily DeShazer/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
While the Chiefs did not issue an official injury report, Houston practiced Tuesday at the team’s indoor facilities.
The Chiefs will continue to evaluate the Pro Bowl linebacker’s progress leading to Saturday’s road game at NRG Stadium.
“We’ll just take it day-by-day,” coach Andy Reid said Tuesday, “but I think he feels pretty good.”
How much work Houston gets in the coming two days should go a long way in determining his status against the Texans.
Houston did not play in the final five games of the regular season after suffering a hyperextended knee in Week 12.
He returned to a limited practice last Friday for the first time since suffering the knee injury, but sat out the season finale.
Meanwhile, outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who underwent surgery on his right thumb on Dec. 22, did not practice because the Chiefs worked indoors on turf.
“Nothing to do with his hand,” Reid said. “His hand actually worked out well.”
Hali did not play in Week 16 while recovering from the thumb surgery before returning in the season finale with a brace covering the majority of his right hand.
The Chiefs typically hold out Hali from indoor practices because the ninth-year pro has dealt with knee swelling throughout the regular season.
Safety Husain Abdullah (not football related), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hip), linebacker Dee Ford (concussion) and rookie center Mitch Morse (concussion) did not practice.
Morse and Ford suffered their respective concussions in the season finale.
To bolster depth on the offensive line, the Chiefs elevated rookie center Daniel Munyer from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster.
Second-year offensive lineman Zach Fulton would likely start if Morse can’t play Saturday.
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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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