Sept. 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston (18) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) at Arrowhead Stadium. (Chris Neal/The Topeka Capital-Journal)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs placed linebacker Juston Houton on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, meaning the veteran cannot play or practice with the team for the first six weeks of the season.
Team head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said Houston is right at the six month point in his recovery from surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
“He needs a little bit more time, and this is all part of the planned process,” Burkholder said.
Houston will meet with his orthopedic surgeon, Dr. James Andrews, during the team’s bye in week four, according to Burkholder. The team plans to reassess his condition then.
After the week six, the Chiefs have until week 12 to active Houston or place him on season-ending injured reserve.
The team placed linebacker Josh Mauga on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday, leaving the team without two of its starting linebackers from last year’s playoff team.
Mauga has missed practice since early August with that was termed a groin injury. Burkholder confirmed Mauga suffered a labral tear in his hip and will have surgery Sept. 8.
“That will put him down for the year because it’s a long rehab process back,” Burkholder said.
The team also waived injured fullback Trey Millard, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the team’s second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Andrews performed surgery on Millard’s knee Monday. The fullback is slated to return to the team next to begin rehab, which is expected to take six to 12 months.
The Chiefs also waived wide receiver Mitch Mathews, an undrafted free agent from Brigham Young. That leaves the team with 76 players on the active roster. The Chiefs received a roster exemption for Eric Berry, who reported to the team on Sunday.
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Matt Derrick is lead beat writer and publisher for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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