KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Outside linebacker Justin Houston’s knee surgery commanded headlines Tuesday morning and rightfully so given the dire circumstances.
Oct. 11, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) changes directions on Chicago’s Shea McClellin (50) during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. (Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
But Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder offered additional news during a conference call on various players returning from injured reserve ahead of the team’s voluntary offseason workout program, which begins April 18.
And the updates weren’t as grim as Houston, whose availability for the regular season is in doubt after he had a procedure on his left anterior cruciate ligament on Feb. 15.
Burkholder said running back Jamaal Charles and cornerback Phillip Gaines, both of whom return from ACL surgeries performed in October, are rehabilitating at the team’s training facility and are “doing great.”
“They aren’t ready right now, as we didn’t think they would be,” Bukholder said. “You’ll see them a little bit at the OTAs (organized team activities) and minicamp in some limited work. And we anticipate with no setbacks they’ll be fine by the time we’re ready to go in July (training camp).”
Burkholder revealed punter Dustin Colquitt, who punts with his left foot, had his right knee scoped in January.
“He had some old injury there, had some hardware in his knee from a high school injury that he had,” Burkholder said. “He had some of that hardware taken out and had his knee cleaned out. But he’s here every day and he’s doing great.”
Outside linebacker Tamba Hali, who had a knee procedure in February, continues to rehabilitate in Kansas City
“He’ll be ready to go in July,” Burkholder said. “That’ll come down to Coach (Andy Reid) and myself, and with some help from our strength coaches to give him some adequate prep work as well as rehab, as well as recovery, just like we did last year.”
Burkholder said tight end James O’Shaugnessy (foot), linebacker Justin March (knee) and offensive lineman Paul Fanaika (back) should be ready on April 18.
O’Shaugnessy underwent surgery on his right foot in November; March had microfracture surgery on his right knee in August; Fanaika underwent surgery on his lower back in September.
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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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