KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Linebacker Dee Ford and wide receiver Albert Wilson will not play Sunday, leaving the Kansas City Chiefs in a numbers crunch at two key positions against the Dallas Cowboys.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali (No. 91) participates in his second practice since the term returned him to workouts from the physically unable to perform list. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
The team’s linebacker group has the most questions of any on the team, with Justin Houston also listed as questionable against Dallas. But head coach Andy Reid said the veteran’s status remains the same as last week. The team listed Houston as questionable against Denver. He played and picked up two sacks. The team limited Houston in practice Wednesday and Thursday and he took the day off as an observer only on Friday.
“Justin Houston again we limited today, so backed off him today,” Reid said “Again, nothing different than what I mentioned to you last week.”
That leaves the Chiefs with just two other healthy outside linebackers: veteran Frank Zombo and rookie Tanoh Kpassagnon, who played 10 snaps against Denver for his first substantial playing time on defense.
Looming in the wings, however, stands Tamba Hali. The team returned Hali to practice from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday. The team must make a move to activate Hali and add him to the 53-man roster.
Reid said he planned to discuss Hali’s situation with general manager Brett Veach. He described Hali’s as simply knocking off rust after nearly 10 months off the football field.
“We’re literally taking this day-by-day and just seeing,” Reid said. Let’s just see what happens. See how it goes here and play it day-by-day.
“It’s really how everything holds up down there,” Reid said, pointing at a reporter’s knees.
The Chiefs also have numbers questions at wide receiver with Wilson’s absence. That leaves the team with just four receivers heading into Sunday’s game against Dallas with Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson, De’Anthony Thomas and Jehu Chesson.
When Wilson missed the team’s Week 6 game against Pittsburgh, the team brought up rookie wide receiver Marcus Kemp from the practice squad. But Reid suggest he may ride with a short bench for one game heading in the club’s bye week.
Reid planned to discuss a move to add a fifth wide receiver with general manager Brett Veach, but hinted he’s fine
“I think for a game I think you’re okay if you have to do that,” Reid said.
The Chiefs do appear ready to receive reinforcements along the offensive line. Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif practice in full this week for the first time since suffering a sprained knee in Week 4. He expects to start Sunday, returning the Chiefs offensive line to full strength for the first time since Week 2.
Tight end Demetrius Harris (shoulder) was limited in practice Friday but expects to play Sunday.
DALLAS COWBOYS
OUT: CB Chidobe Awuzie and K Dan Bailey
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: WR Cole Beasley, WR Noah Brown and DT Maliek Collins
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: CB Chidobe Aquzie (hamstring), K Dan Bailey (right groin) andDT Maliek Collins (foot)
Limited participation: WR Noah Brown (thigh)
Full participation: WR Cole Beasley (concussion), WR Dez Bryant (knee), LB Justin Durant (groin), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (calf), T Tyron Smith (back/hip), LB Kyle Wilber (knee) and DT Brian Price (back)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: LB Dee Ford and WR Albert Wilson
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: LB Justin Houston
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: LB Justin Houston (knee), LB Dee Ford (back) and WR Albert Wilson (hamstring)
Limited participation: TE Demetrius Harris (shoulder)
Full participation: DT Bennie Logan (knee), LG Bryan Witzmann (abdomen), RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (knee) and C Mitch Morse (foot)
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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