KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs downgraded inside linebacker James-Michael Johnson from probable to questionable with an illness, the team announced Saturday morning in an email.
Johnson originally appeared on the injury report with knee and back injuries for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
While the third-year pro practiced fully the entire week, his availability is now considered a “50-50 chance will not play” based on the official questionable designation.
He joins outside linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) as questionable for Sunday.
Johnson started nine games at right inside linebacker alongside left inside linebacker Josh Mauga until Week 14 when the Chiefs inserted Joe Mays, a seventh-year pro, in Johnson’s place.
Johnson did not log a defensive snap in Week 14, but contributed on 21 special teams snaps.
Also of note, the Raiders on Saturday downgraded linebacker Sio Moore (hip) from questionable to out, Raiders beat writer Bill Williamson of ESPN.com reports.
#Raiders Sio Moore out Sunday at Chiefs with hip injury
— Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonESPN) December 13, 2014
Here is the updated injury report to reflect Saturday’s changes:
OAKLAND RAIDERS
OUT: S Larry Asante (shoulder, quadricep), TE Brian Leonhardt (concussion), WR Denarius Moore (knee, ankle), LB Sio Moore (hip), T Menelik Watson (foot, ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Tarell Brown (foot, ankle), DT Pat Sims (shoulder)
PROBABLE: CB Chimdi Chekwa (shoulder), WR Andre Holmes (shoulder), CB Neiko Thorpe (hand)
Practice report
Did not participate in practice
Wednesday: CB Tarell Brown (foot, ankle), TE Brian Leonhardt (concussion), WR Denarius Moore (knee, ankle), T Menelik Watson (foot, ankle)
Thursday: S Larry Asante (shoulder, quadricep), CB Tarell Brown (foot, ankle), TE Brian Leonhardt (concussion), WR Denarius Moore (knee, ankle), DT Pat Sims (shoulder), T Menelik Watson (foot, ankle)
Friday: S Larry Asante (shoulder, quadricep), TE Brian Leonhardt (concussion), WR Denarius Moore (knee, ankle), LB Sio Moore (hip), T Menelik Watson (foot, ankle)
Limited participation
Wednesday: S Larry Asante (shoulder, quad), CB Chimdi Chekwa (shoulder), WR Andre Holmes (shoulder), DT Pat Sims (shoulder)
Thursday: CB Chimdi Chekwa (shoulder), WR Andre Holmes (shoulder), LB Sio Moore (hip)
Friday: CB Tarell Brown (foot, ankle), DT Pat Sims (shoulder)
Full participation
Wednesday: CB Neiko Thorpe (hand)
Thursday: CB Neiko Thorpe (hand)
Friday: CB Chimdi Chekwa (shoulder), WR Andre Holmes (shoulder), CB Neiko Thorpe (hand)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: DE Allen Bailey (concussion)
DOUBTFUL: CB Phillip Gaines (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Tamba Hali (knee), LB James-Michael Johnson (back, knee)
PROBABLE: S Husain Abdullah (foot), WR Donnie Avery (groin), RB Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle), TE Anthony Fasano (knee), WR Junior Hemingway (concussion), LB Joe Mays (knee), CB Chris Owens (knee), CB Sean Smith (groin)
Practice report
Did not participate in practice
Wednesday: DE Allen Bailey (concussion), RB Jamaal Charles (ankle, knee), TE Anthony Fasano (knee), LB Tamba Hali (knee)
Thursday: DE Allen Bailey (concussion), CB Phillip Gaines (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (knee)
Friday: DE Allen Bailey (concussion)
Limited participation
Wednesday: WR Donnie Avery (groin), CB Phillip Gaines (concussion), LB Joe Mays (groin)
Thursday: RB Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle), TE Anthony Fasano (knee), LB Joe Mays (knee)
Friday: TE Anthony Fasano (knee), CB Phillip Gaines (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (knee)
Full participation
Wednesday: S Husain Abdullah (foot), WR Junior Hemingway (concussion), LB James-Michael Johnson (back, knee), CB Chris Owens (knee), CB Sean Smith (groin)
Thursday: S Husain Abdullah (foot), WR Donnie Avery (groin), WR Junior Hemingway (concussion), LB James-Michael Johnson (back, knee), CB Christopher Owens (knee), CB Sean Smith (groin)
Friday: S Husain Abdullah (foot), WR Donnie Avery (groin), RB Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle), WR Junior Hemingway (concussion), LB James-Michael Johnson (back, knee), LB Joe Mays (knee), CB Chris Owens (knee), CB Sean Smith (groin)
