Chiefs inside linebacker Joe Mays and cornerback Chris Owens are not among the seven inactives for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs list as inactive the following players: Quarterback Aaron Murray, wide receiver Donnie Avery (groin), safety Daniel Sorensen, cornerback Jamell Fleming (hamstring), center Eric Kush, offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and linebacker Josh Martin (hamstring).
Avery hasn’t played since Week 4 and underwent a sports hernia procedure on Oct. 3. He returned to practice this past week before being declared out on Friday.
Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins draws the start in Avery’s place.
Fleming, who started at left cornerback in Weeks 7-8, suffered a hamstring injury in Week 8 and hasn’t played since.
Mays, who was activated from injured reserve Saturday, makes his first regular-season appearance since undergoing wrist surgery in August to repair torn ligament in his right wrist.
Still, how much Mays is on the field remains unclear when considering the lost playing time.
The seventh-year pro hasn’t experienced meaningful playing time since the first two preseason games. He injured his wrist in the second preseason contest against the Carolina Panthers.
Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson have started at the inside linebacker positions this season covering for Mays and Derrick Johnson, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 1.
Owens makes a return to the lineup after missing three straight games with a knee injury suffered in Week 5. Rookie cornerback Phillip Gaines filled in at the nickel in Weeks 7-8 before drawing the start at left cornerback in Week 9.
Meanwhile, Bills running back Fred Jackson (groin) and rookie wide receiver Sammy Watkins (groin) are active against the Chiefs.
