KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs rookie center Mitch Morse (concussion) has been ruled out against the Houston Texans.
With Morse not in the lineup, the Chiefs are likely to turn to second-year offensive lineman Zach Fulton, who started at center in Week 13 and filled in for Morse in the season finale.
Other than Morse, the Chiefs are good shape despite listing three players as questionable, specifically outside linebacker Tamba Hali (thumb, knee), Husain Abdullah (concussion, not injury related) and outside linebacker Dee Ford (concusion).
Hali put in a limited practice Friday after not practicing the previous two days, but he should be available Saturday.
Abdullah and Ford put in a full practice for a second straight day.
Outside linebacker Justin Houston (knee) practiced fully the entire week and is listed as probable. Barring a setback, Houston is set for his return to the starting lineup after missing the final five games of the regular season after suffering a hyperextended knee injury in Week 12.
The Chiefs list wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (hip), right tackle Jah Reid (knee), left guard Jeff Allen (ankle), wide receiver Chris Conley, tight end Travis Kelce (groin) and running back Spencer Ware (rib) as probable.
Maclin, in particular, put in a full practice for a second straight day after being limited Wednesday.
The Texans list 19 players on the final injury report.
Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (foot) is designated questionable, while 18 players are probable, including defensive end J.J. Watt (groin, hand) and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hand).
Friday’s injury report as released by the Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: C Mitch Morse (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE: S Husain Abdullah (concussion, not injury related), LB Dee Ford (concussion, wrist), LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee)
PROBABLE: G Jeff Allen (ankle), WR Chris Conley (thumb), LB Justin Houston (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR Jeremy Maclin (hip), T Jah Reid (knee), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
Practice report
Did not participate in practice:
Wednesday: S Husain Abdullah (concussion, not injury related), LB Dee Ford (concussion, wrist), LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee), C Mitch Morse (concussion)
Thursday: LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee), C Mitch Morse (concussion)
Friday: C Mitch Morse (concussion)
Limited participation:
Wednesday: WR Jeremy Maclin (hip), T Jah Reid (knee)
Friday: Tamba Hali (thumb, knee)
Full participation:
Wednesday: G Jeff Allen (ankle), WR Chris Conley (thumb), LB Justin Houston (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
Thursday: S Husain Abdullah (concussion, not injury related), G Jeff Allen (ankle), WR Chris Conley (thumb), LB Dee Ford (concussion, wrist), LB Justin Houston (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR Jeremy Maclin (hip), T Jah Reid (knee), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
Friday: S Husain Abdullah (concussion, not injury related), G Jeff Allen (ankle), WR Chris Conley (thumb), LB Dee Ford (concussion, wrist), LB Justin Houston (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR Jeremy Maclin (hip), T Jah Reid (knee), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
HOUSTON TEXANS
QUESTIONABLE: LB Jadeveon Clowney (foot)
PROBABLE: RB Alfred Blue (calf), CB A.J. Bouye (knee), LB Max Bullough (shoulder), S Quintin Demps (shoulder), TE Ryan Griffin (achilles), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hand), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), CB Kevin Johnson (foot, wrist), C Ben Jones (knee), P Shane Lechler (left hamstring), LB Whitney Mercilus (back), T Derek Newton (elbow, shoulder), RB Chris Polk (knee), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), LB John Simon (chest), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (calf), WR Nate Washington (hip), DE J.J. Watt (groin, hand)
Practice report
Did not participate in practice:
Wednesday: LB Jadeveon Clowney (foot), WR Nate Washington (hip)
Friday: LB Jadeveon Clowney (foot)
Limited participation:
Wednesday: RB Alfred Blue (calf), TE Ryan Griffin (achilles), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hand), CB Kevin Johnson (foot, wrist), C Ben Jones (knee), P Shane Lechler (left hamstring), T Derek Newton (elbow, shoulder), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), LB John Simon (chest), DE J.J. Watt (groin, hand)
Thursday: RB Alfred Blue (calf), LB Jadeveon Clowney (foot), CB Kevin Johnson (foot, wrist), P Shane Lechler (left hamstring), T Derek Newton (elbow, shoulder), WR Nate Washington (hip), DE J.J. Watt (groin, hand)
Friday: RB Alfred Blue (calf), CB Kevin Johnson (foot, wrist), P Shane Lechler (left hamstring), T Derek Newton (elbow, shoulder), WR Nate Washington (hip), DE J.J. Watt (groin, hand)
Full participation:
Wednesday: CB A.J. Bouye (knee), LB Max Bullough (shoulder), S Quintin Demps (shoulder), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), LB Whitney Mercilus (back), RB Chris Polk (knee), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (calf)
Thursday: CB A.J. Bouye (knee), LB Max Bullough (shoulder), S Quintin Demps (shoulder), TE Ryan Griffin (achilles), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hand), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), C Ben Jones (knee), LB Whitney Mercilus (back), RB Chris Polk (knee), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), LB John Simon (chest), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (calf)
Friday: CB A.J. Bouye (knee), LB Max Bullough (shoulder), S Quintin Demps (shoulder), TE Ryan Griffin (achilles), WR DeAndre Hopkins (hand), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), C Ben Jones (knee), LB Whitney Mercilus (back), RB Chris Polk (knee), WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), LB John Simon (chest), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (calf)
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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