Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher (72) during a break against the St. Louis Rams at Arrowhead Stadium. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Chiefs suddenly have injury problems at both starting tackle positions.
Left tackle Eric Fisher limped off the field Monday during a 9-on-7 drill and was taken to the trainer’s tent, where team personnel removed his left cleat. Fisher was then given a ride up the hill on a cart and did not return.
“It’s an ankle sprain, that’s what I’ve been told,” coach Andy Reid said after practice. “They’ll X-ray it, MRI it and see what the deal is.”
Reid said he didn’t know if Fisher has suffered a high-ankle sprain.
The Chiefs began practice without projected starting right tackle Jeff Allen, who suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason opener.
Allen was not present on the practice field, and there isn’t a current timetable on his return.
“He’s sore,” Reid said. “We’ll see. We’re just taking it day-by-day, see how he does.”
Donald Stephenson, who started training camp at right tackle with the first-team offense, worked in Allen’s place before Fisher’s injury.
Stephenson then shifted to left tackle with Jarrod Pughsley filling in at right tackle.
While Stephenson and Pughlsy rotating on the offensive line became a necessity, the Chiefs also offered a new look with the first-team unit.
Prior to Fisher’s injury, the Chiefs had Fisher at left tackle, Ben Grubbs at left guard, rookie Mitch Morse at center, second-year pro Laurent Duvernay-Tardif at right guard and Stephenson.
Monday marked the first time Duvernay-Tardif worked with the first-team offense in training camp.
“We’re looking at combinations,” Reid said. “We’re going to find the five we feel play best together and work from there. We’re going to keep moving and shuffling if we need to until we feel we got it.”
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EDIT: Video of play where Fisher sustained his ankle sprain, courtesy Nick Jacobs.
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Herbie Teope is the lead beat writer and reporter for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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