KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs will like lineup against the New England Patriots Sunday night without three starters from last week's game and missing several key role players, creating a definite all-hands-on-deck mentality for a crucial AFC showdown.
The Chiefs ruled out safety Eric Murray (Murray) on Friday. With linebacker Justin Houston (hamstring) doubtful and the club placing right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif on injured reserve earlier this week, that's three starters likely missing on Sunday.
Also out for Sunday's game is wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas, who suffered a second fracture in his right let during practice on Thursday. The club also lists safety Eric Berry (heel) as doubtful.
What else could go wrong for the Chiefs? Might be best not to ask.
Jordan Lucas expects to line up at safety along with Ron Parker.
“He has played quite a little bit before he got here and then he played for us last week,” Reid said. “He knows what’s going on and actually had some nice plays back there. I think he’s looking forward to playing.”
That leaves recently signed Josh Shaw as the team's No. 3 safety. Reid said he's looked promising through his first two weeks of work with the club.
“He has been thrown into the fire here in practice,” Reid said. “But we will see how much time he gets, if any. We will just see how that rolls.”
Chiefs Injury Report
OUT: S Eric Murray and WR De'Anthony Thomas
DOUBTFUL: LB Justin Houston and S Eric Berry
QUESTIONABLE: LB Tanoh Kpassagnon
Did not practice: LB Justin Houston (hamstring), S Eric Murray (ankle), WR De'Anthony Thomas (tibia) and S Eric Berry (heel)
Limited participation: LB Tanoh Kpassagnon (ankle)
Full participation: LB Dee Ford (groin/hand), WR Sammy Watkins (hamstring), WR Chris Conley (toe)
Patriots Injury Report
Questionable: TE Rob Gronkowski, DT Malcom Brown, WR Chris Hogan, WR Josh Gordon, RB Sony Michel, CB Eric Rowe, DE Geneo Grissom, DT Danny Shelton and DE John Simon
Did not practice: None
Limited participation: TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle), DT Malcom Brown (knee), WR Chris Hogan (thigh), WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), RB Sony Michel (knee), CB Eric Rowe (groin), DE Geneo Grissom (ankle), DT Danny Shelton (elbow) and DE John Simon (shoulder)
