KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs may face Washington on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium without key starters on both offense and defense. The team ruled linebacker Dee Ford and left tackle Eric Fisher is a game-time decision for head coach Andy Reid’s squad.
“Eric Fisher had back spasms, so we held him out,” Reid said after Friday’s practice. “He’s getting better. We’ll just see as we get closer to game time.”
Ford was limited in practice last week with a shoulder injury sustained in week two against Philadelphia. He left last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with what head coach Andy Reid termed a hip spasm. He missed practice this week with lower back soreness.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford tackles Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles during the team’s 27-20 win over the Eagles Sept. 17, 2017. (Photo by Justin Olson, ChiefsDigest.com)
The absence of Ford means more playing time for veteran Frank Zombo. He says he’s prepared for more playing time on both defense and special teams.
“You study a lot more film,” Zombo said about his preparation as a likely starter Monday night. “I’ve been in this position before, it’s not a big difference for me.”
The potential loss of Fisher could substantially shake up the offensive line. Starting center Mitch Morse will miss his second straight game, which puts Zach Fulton in the starting lineup in his spot. Morse appeared in the locker room without a walking boot or crutches but remains out of practice with a sprained foot.
If Fisher cannot play, newcomer Cam Erving likely steps in to the starting lineup. It remains unclear if the Chiefs prefer inserting Erving at left tackle swapping him to the right side with Mitchell Schwartz moving to the left.
Erving said he definitely feels ready to play if needed Monday night. He spent much of the last two seasons playing guard and center in Cleveland. The former first-round draft pick said he feels much more comfortable with the move back to tackle. He credits his new teammates and former Browns teammate Schwartz for helping him get acclimated to the Chiefs offense.
“Just practicing and learning from these guys here, especially Mitch since I was with him in Cleveland,” Erving said. “Just learning so much from good guys who are good professionals.”
Defensive tackle Bennie Logan was held out of practice Friday to rest his knee but will play, Reid said. Wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas, who left last week’s game with a shoulder injury, also expects to play. Left guard parker Ehinger practice in full this week and does not have an injury designation, but Reid does not expect him to play this week.
Washington also has a long list of injuries this week but few significant injuries that look to keep starters off the field Monday. Safety D.J. Swearinger sustained a hamstring injury in practice Friday and did not practice on Saturday. He is questionable for the game.
Tight end Jordan Reed, wide receiver Jamison Crowder and linebackers Mason Foster and Will Compton all missed some practice time this week and are questionable for Monday night.
WASHINGTON
OUT: T Ty Nsekhe
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: RB Rob Kelley, WR Jamison Crowder, TE Jordan Reed, LB Mason Foster, LB Will Compton and S D.J. Swearinger
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: T Ty Nsekhe (core muscle) and S D.J. Swearinger (hamstring)
Limited participation: LB Mason Foster (shoulder), RB Rob Kelly (rib), TE Jordan Reed (rib/sternum), WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring) and LB Will Compton (ankle)
Full participation: QB Kirk Cousins (not injury related), DL Matt Ioannidis (shoulder), CB Josh Norman (shoulder), DL Jonathan Allen (shoulder), S Montae Nicholson (shoulder/ankle) and RB Samaje Perine (hand)
KANSAS CITY
OUT: C Mitch Morse and LB Dee Ford
DOUBTFUL: None
QUESTIONABLE: LT Eric Fisher and LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: C Mitch Morse (foot), LB Dee Ford (back), LT Eric Fisher (back) and DT Bennie Logan (knee)
Limited participation: LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (groin)
Full participation: LG Parker Ehinger (knee) and WR De’Anthony Thomas (shoulder)
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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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