Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ; Chiefs wide receivers Albert Wilson (12) and Jason Avant (81) against the Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs expect to have wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (illness) available for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Still, Bowe’s absence from practice the entire week allowed the Chiefs to work others at the flanker position.
“We’ve just kind of put everyone in there and we’ve moved people around,” coach Andy Reid told reporters during Friday’s media session. “I think he’s (Bowe) going to be ready. Right now everybody’s jumped in and taken some reps.”
The Chiefs officially list Bowe as questionable on the injury report.
The top option in the event Bowe can’t play is likely Jason Avant, who is currently listed second on the depth at the flanker position behind Bowe.
The Chiefs should have Donnie Avery available considering the seventh-year pro wasn’t listed on the injury report the entire week.
Avery, who remains No. 1 on the depth chart at the split end position ahead of Albert Wilson, recently returned from a sports hernia operation. He didn’t start in Week 14 and was inactive in Week 15, however.
Wilson started the past two games in Avery’s place, producing seven catches for 122 yards on 13 targets.
The Chiefs turned to second-year pro Frankie Hammond Jr. for the regular-season opener when Bowe served a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on substance abuse.
Hammond is currently listed behind Avant at the flanker spot on the depth chart.
ALL SYSTEMS GO
Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle) put in a limited practice Wednesday, but returned to a full practice Thursday and Friday.
“He feels good,” Reid said. “He worked today. Feels good.”
The Chiefs officially list Charles as probable on the injury report, a designation that indicates a “virtual certainty will be available for normal duty.”
Charles, the NFL’s leader in total touchdowns with 14 (nine rushing, five receiving), faces a Steelers run defense ranked 11th in the league (103.6 yards allowed per game).
NO FINES
Chiefs rookie safety Daniel Sorensen was a candidate to hear from the league for an unnecessary roughness penalty incurred late in the fourth quarter of Week 15’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
But the NFL did not impose a fine on Sorensen, according to a league spokesman.
The Chiefs previously dealt with fines in consecutive weeks to tight end Travis Kelce and outside linebacker Tamba Hali.
Kelce drew a $11,025 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct in Week 13, while Hali drew a $16,537 fine for roughing the passer in Week 14.
