DENVER — The Kansas City City Chiefs take on the Denver Broncos Sunday night without three defensive starters, but will have linebacker Derrick Johnson, cornerback Marcus Peters and defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
The Kansas City Chiefs take part in pregame warmups before their game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
The team already knew it would be without linebacker Dee Ford, defensive end Jaye Howard and cornerback Steven Nelson. Johnson, Peters and Poe all appeared questionable on Friday’s injury report.
Also among the inactives for the Chiefs against the Broncos are wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, quarterback Tyler Bray, tight end Ross Travis and offensive lineman Mike Person.
The absence of Nelson puts the spotlight on backup cornerbacks Kenneth Acker and D.J. White. Acker played 96 percent of the defensive snaps last week in place of Peters. The Chiefs have continued to use Phillip Gaines primarily in nickle and dime packages. White remains on the mend from a broken hand. He played exclusively on special teams last week.
Justin Houston likely picks up the bulk of the playing time in place of Ford, but it remains to be seen his stamina as he returns from offseason knee surgery. Rookie Dadi Nicolas could also see more playing time in limited personnel groups.
The Broncos are without regular long snapper Casey Kreiter. The team signed former Chiefs long snapper Thomas Gafford on Friday to handle snapping duties against the Chiefs.
DENVER BRONCOS INACTIVES
LS Casey Kreiter, QB Austin Davis, WR Cody Latimer, DB Lorenzo Doss, OL Conner McGovern WR Marlon Brown and OL Billy Turner
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS INACTIVES
LB Dee Ford, WR Jeremy Maclin, DE Jaye Howard, CB Steven Nelson, QB Tyler Bray, TE Ross Travis and OL Mike Person
———-
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
———-
