KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Linebacker Dee Ford didn't practice Thursday as the Chiefs begin preparation for their Monday night showdown at the Denver Broncos, but the club hopes to have Ford back quickly from a groin strain, head coach Andy Reid says.
"He's actually doing very well right now," Reid said. "We're optimistic. We'll just see how, it could be a day, it could be a couple of days but we'll see how it goes."
Ford exited Sunday's 38-27 win against San Francisco late in the game with the injury and underwent and MRI on Monday. But Reid said the team doesn't believe the injury a long-term concern.
"I don't think it is," Reid said. "Not right now, that's not what it looks like."
Linebacker Justin Houston did not practice Thursday as well, but the club said it was not due to an injury.
The Chiefs also remain without starting safety Eric Berry, who also missed practice Thursday with a sore heel. The veteran has not practiced since Aug. 11, despite being labeled as "literally day-to-day" by head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder before Week 1 of the regular season.
"Eric is continuing to make progress but won't practice today," Reid said.
Linebacker Terrance Smith also didn't practice Thursday with a shin contusion, but Reid expects him to be OK. Smith has seen significant playing time as a coverage linebacker during the first three weeks of the season.
The club listed several players as full participants on the Thursday injury report. That group includes safety Ron Parker (shoulder), running back Spencer Ware (knee), tight end Demetrius Harris (shoulder), linebacker Ben Niemann (hamstring) and defensive lineman Derrick Nnadi (elbow) and Jarvis Jenkins (elbow).
