KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The bruised and battered, and undefeated, Kansas City Chiefs finally found good news on the injury front with linebacker Justin Houston and tight end Travis Kelce returning to action in time for Sunday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Kansas City Chiefs worked out at their training facility ahead of their upcoming game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including tight end Travis Kelce (87) and linebacker Justin Houston (50). (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
The team listed center Mitch Morse, right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif receiver Chris Conley (Achilles) and safety Steven Terrell (concussion) as out for this Sunday.
“Everybody else practiced and will be ready to go for the game unless there’s some setback that takes place here,” head coach Andy Reid said.
Kelce left last week’s game with a concussion while Houston exited with calf spasms. Kelce practiced in full the last two days while Houston returned on a limited basis Friday.
The Chiefs will still play without several starters on the offensive side, however. Morse will miss his fourth game with a foot sprain, while Duvernay-Tardif remains out for the second-straight game with a sprained knee. Zach Fulton and Cameron Erving expect to start in their respective roles along the line.
This will be the first game without Conley since his season-ending Achilles rupture sustained last week. Wide receiver Albert Wilson, who suffered a knee sprain Sunday night against Houston, said he’s ready to play despite a sprained knee that limited him this week.
“The training room staff does a great job of getting guys back,” Wilson said. “It’s a blessing. God works in mysterious way. It seemed like we were going to have a hiccup there but we all got in the training room with those guys in there, worked really hard to be able to get on the field Sunday.”
Wilson and backup Demarcus Robinson expect to pick up the slack left by the absence of Conley. Rookie receiver Jehu Chesson expects to be active, playing mostly on special teams with Robinson taking a bigger role on offense.
The Steelers are healthier than the Chiefs but continue to battle injuries along the offensive line. Left guard Ramon Foster did not practice this week and is listed as questionable with a back injury. Center Marukice Pouncey (chest) missed practice time this week but right tackle Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) appears ready to return after missing the last three games.
The Steelers have allowed nine sacks of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, which is his highest sack rate since 2014. Pressure has also contributed to turnovers, with Roethlisberger throwing seven interceptions on the season, including five last week against Jacksonville.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
OUT: None
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: LG Ramon Foster
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: LG Ramon Foster (back)
Limited participation: None
Full participation: LB Ryan Shazier (quadricep), C Maurkice Pouncey (chest) and RT Marcus Gilbert (hamstring)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: C Mitch Morse, RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, WR Chris Conley and S Steven Terrell
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: None
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (knee), R Chris Conley (Achilles) and S Steven Terrell (concussion)
Limited participation: C Mitch Morse (foot), LB Justin Houston (calf), WR Albert Wilson (knee) and WR Tyreek Hill (hamstring)
Full participation: TE Travis Kelce (concussion), DT Bennie Logan (knee) and LB Dee Ford (back)
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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