KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs will be without both starting outside linebackers Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Tamba Hali, who entered the game as questionable, is inactive along with Justin Houston (knee).
Hali underwent surgery on his right thumb earlier in the week and missed all three practices leading to the weekend. Houston will miss a fourth straight game after sustaining a hyperextended knee in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills.
Sixth-year pro Frank Zombo will start in place of Hali, while Dee Ford continues to start in place of Houston.
The remaining inactives are quarterback Aaron Murray, safety Husain Abdullah (concussion), wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas (non-football related), defensive lineman David King and rookie defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches.
Thomas will miss a fifth straight game, while Houston and Abdullah miss a fourth straight game.
With Thomas out, expect wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr., to return punts with running back Knile Davis retuning kickoffs.
Guard/tackle Jeff Allen is active after missing the past two games with an ankle injury.
———-
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.
———-