Jan. 13, 2016; Kansas City, MO; General view of players warming up during Wednesday’s portion of practice open to the media.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (knee) returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis ahead of Saturday’s game against the New England Patriots.
Houston did not practice Tuesday while the team was indoors, but the Chiefs moved outdoors Wednesday on the natural grass.
And it doesn’t appear Houston experienced issues with his knee after playing last weekend against the Texans, his first action since Week 12 of the regular season.
“It’s doing good,” Houston said of his knee. “A little sore from that brace. I think the brace beat me up more than anything.”
While Houston practiced, outside linebacker Tamba Hali (thumb, knee) did not despite the team moving outdoors. Hali was not present on the field during the portion of practice open to the media.
Right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (concussion), rookie center Mitch Morse (concussion), running back Spencer Ware (ankle) and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (ankle) also did not practice.
Duvernay-Tardif, Morse and Ware were observed on the sideline without their helmets during the portion of practice open to the media.
Maclin was not the field during that duration, but was observed in the locker room during the open locker room media session for a second straight day. His right ankle wasn’t wrapped and he did not appear to walk with a limp.
Wide receiver Albert Wilson was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a hamstring injury.
The Chiefs list guard Jeff Allen (thumb), guard/center Zach Fulton (ankle), tight end Travis Kelce (groin), linebacker Josh Mauga (ankle) and right tackle Jah Reid (knee) as full participants.
The Patriots list 17 players on the initial report.
Quarterback Tom Brady (ankle) put in a full practice, while tight end Rob Gronkowski (knee) and wide receiver Julian Edelman (foot) were limited.
Wednesday’s injury report as released by the Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (knee, thumb), WR Jeremy Maclin (ankle), C Mitch Morse (concussion), RB Spencer Ware (ankle)
Limited participation: LB Justin Houston (knee), WR Albert Wilson (hamstring)
Full participation: G Jeff Allen (thumb), G Zach Fulton (ankle), TE Travis Kelce (groin), LB Josh Mauga (ankle), T Jah Reid (knee)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: G Tre’ Jackson (knee)
Limited participation: WR Danny Amendola (knee), TE Scott Chandler (knee), CB Justin Coleman (concussion), S Nate Ebner (hand), WR Julian Edelman (foot), LB Jonathan Freeny (hand), TE Rob Gronkowski (knee), LB Dont’a Hightower (knee), DE Chandler Jones (abdomen, toe), DE Rob Ninkovich (shin), T Sebastian Vollmer (ankle), T LaAdrian Waddle (shoulder)
Full participation: QB Tom Brady (ankle), G Josh Kline (shoulder), WR Brandon LaFell (foot), S Devin McCourty (ankle)
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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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