KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Injuries continue to pummel the Chiefs offensive line, with the club placing Jordan Devey on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, straining depth already challenged with injuries to starters Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Mitch Morse.
The club also placed linebacker Terrance Smith on injured reserve. Smith suffered a right knee injury during Sunday's game against Cincinnati. The team promoted offensive lineman Jimmy Murray and tight end Deon Yelder from the practice squad to replace Devey and Smith.
Devey's injury complicates matters along the offensive line. Devey started against New England in place of Duvernay-Tardif, who went on injured reserve with a fractured fibula and ligament damage in his ankle. He then moved to center during the game at New England when Morse exited with a concussion. Andrew Wylie took over at right guard, and Devey and Wylie started at those spots in Week 7 against Cincinnati.
Morse's concussion does not expect to keep him out long term, but the Chiefs do have options in the event of his continued absence. The Chiefs could move Cam Erving from left guard to center. Reserve Austin Reiter played center for Washington abnd Cleveland during the past three seasons.
Murray, a 6-5, 304-pound rookie from Holy Cross, spent time at center throughout the offseason and on the scout team. Veteran Jeff Allen, who re-signed with the team last week as a free agent, hasn't played center in an NFL game but has spent time at center during offseason and training camp practices.
Devey appeared outside the team's locker room with an ice pack on his shoulder following Sunday's game. A team reporter indicated on Wednesday that Devey suffered a pectoral injury.
The move also suggests Devey's injury maybe season ending. The Chiefs can only return two players from injured from injured reserve each season. They expect to designate safety Daniel Sorensen to return soon. They also anticipated possibly using the second designation on Duvernay-Tardif.
Smith heading to injured reserve seemed more likely following his knee injury Sunday. Athletic trainers assisted Smith off the field, with the linebacker attempting to avoid placing weight on his right leg.
His absence likely means more playing time for rookie Dorian O'Daniel, the team's third-round selection from Clemson in this year's draft. O'Daniel played 25 snaps, the most of his career, in relief of Smith Sunday night against the Bengals.
