Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) celebrates a stop during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs should have a key Pro Bowl component to the pass rush ready to go Saturday against the Houston Texans.
Outside linebacker Justin Houston was on the practice field Wednesday for a second straight day and he made it clear of his availability for the first round of the playoffs.
“That’s the plan to play as of right now,” Houston said.
Houston hasn’t seen action since suffering a hyperextended knee in Week 12, and then went on to miss the final five games of the regular season.
The lost games contributed to rust, which Houston admits he will have to work out.
But it won’t take long, according to one of the NFL’s top pass rushers.
“It probably won’t hit me until the first quarter,” Houston said. “After the first quarter, I’ll be all right.”
Houston, who sported a brace on his left knee during the practices open to the media, said he wasn’t frustrated during the lost time because the team was winning.
The Chiefs, of course, closed the season on a 10-game winning streak and clinched a postseason berth in Week 16.
With Tamba Hali (thumb, knee) also expected to play, the Chiefs appear on track to have both starting outside linebackers in the lineup against a Texans offensive line without starting left tackle Duane Brown, who was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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