KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs remain far from healthy, but several key players including wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, linebacker Dee Ford and cornerback Steven Nelson tested the practice field Wednesday to measure their progress as they work themselves back into the lineup.
“They’re just testing things out,” Reid said. “We’re just going to gradually see how they feel. I can’t give you anything until I see them do something.”
Defensive lineman Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard stood as the only two Chiefs who did not practice Wednesday.
“Dontari’s making progress,” Reid said. “It’s just a matter of back spasms and calming down a little bit.”
Poe left Sunday’s game against Denver with a recurrence of his back spasms. Howard missed his third-straight game Sunday with a hip flexor strain.
Maclin, returning to action following a groin injury, also missed his third-straight game Sunday since playing only the first drive against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Nov. 6.
Ford sustained a hamstring injury in the week 11 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Steven Nelson, who missed the Broncos game with a neck injury, returned to practice fully Wednesday.
Additions to the injury report include quarterback Alex Smith (chest), tight end Travis Kelce (shoulder) and linebacker Justin Houston (shoulder). All three practiced in full.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) and DE Dwight Freeney (not injury related)
Limited participation: P Matt Bosher (right hamstring)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: DE Jaye Howard (hip) and DT Dontari Poe (knee)
Limited participation: LB Dee Ford (hamstring), WR Jeremy Maclin (groin) and DL Kendall Reyes (knee)
Full participation: QB Alex Smith (chest), TE Travis Kelce (shoulder), LB Derrick Johnson (Achilles), LB Tamba Hali (knee), LB Justin Houston (shoulder) and Steven Nelson (neck)
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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.
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