KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston returned to practice Friday, and although the team lists him questionable for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium, coach Andy Reid believes the veteran All-Pro ready to play.
The Kansas City Chiefs worked out at the team’s training complex ahead of the team’s contest against the Tennessee Titans. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
“I think he’ll be ready to go,” Reid said.
The team listed Houston limited in practice Wednesday with an illness. He did not practice Thursday due to tenderness in his surgically repaired left knee.
“He practiced the day before, and we just kind of backed off him,” Reid said. “That’s going to be that way with him coming back. It wasn’t a big thing.”
Cornerback Phillip Gaines, however did not practice again Friday due to inflammation in his knee. Reid ruled Gaines out Sunday against the Titans.
The team has not yet placed linebacker Derrick Johnson on injured reserve, prompting his inclusion on the injury report. Reid indicated general manager John Dorsey may make a move soon.
“I’m going to get with Dorsey after this and go over the whole Derrick thing and how he wants to work it from there,” Reid.
Titans coach Mike Malarky declared reserve backup linebacker Sean Spence out with an ankle injury. Spence collected 44 tackles and a sack during 13 games this season with five starts.
The team also listed starting defense tackle Jurrell Casey questionable with a foot injury. Casey has 34 tackles and three sacks this season.
TENNESSEE TITANS
OUT: LB Sean Spence
QUESTIONABLE: DL Jurrell Casey, DL Karl Klug and LB David Bass
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: LB Sean Spence (ankle)
Limited participation: DT Jurrell Casey (foot)
Full participation: DL Karl Klug (Achilles) and LB David Bass (groin)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: CB Phillip Gaines
QUESTIONABLE: LB Justin Houston and DL Kendall Reyes
Practice report
Did not participate in practice: CB Phillip Gaines (knee), LB Tamba Hali (knee) and LB Derrick Johnson (Achilles)
Limited participation: LB Justin Houston (knee), DL Kendall Reyes (wrist)
Full participation: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (back)
———-
Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and the Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
Follow @MattDerrick
———-
