Linebacker Justin Houston starts his second week of practice with the team this week, but Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the All-Pro would probably not play at Indianapolis Sunday.
Coach Andy Reid and co-offensive coordinator Matt Nagy speak with an official during the Chiefs 27-21 win over the New Orleans Saints. Sunday October 23, 2016 in Kansas City, MO (Nick Tre. Smith/Special to The Topeka Capital-Journal)
“We’ll just keep practicing him, we’ll see how he does,” Reid said. “He’s not there yet, but he did look good last week.”
Reid said Houston needs more time moving at full speed on the practice field.
“He just needs to keep play football right now,” Reid said. “He’s just coming off the rehab part of it, so it’s getting acclimated back into the simple things of just having the pads on.”
Houston can practice with the team and remain on the physically unable to perform list until after the team’s week nine game against Jacksonville.
CHARLES LIMITED
Running back Jamaal Charles played just two snaps Sunday, running the ball once for no gain. Reid said Charles’ knee acted up after the week six game against Oakland.
The coach said he saw no need to push Charles unnecessarily, particularly with running back Spencer Ware playing effectively out of the backfield.
“When you look at what’s real, it’s a long season,” Reid said. “We’ll need him as we go. I’m trying to be as patient as possible. Best smart with it is what we’re really trying to do.”
GAINES DAY TO DAY
Cornerback Phillip Gaines, the third of the Chiefs veterans returning from knee surgery, spent Sunday inactive after tweaking his knee again last week against Oakland.
Reid said the team had not plans to play him against the Saints.
“You have to go off of how he’s feeling,” Reid said. “That’s one of those positions where you get a lot of torque on that thing, and then, you have to run fast. So, if they don’t feel right, then, you have to back off that.”
WILSON, JONES STEP UP
Linebacker Ramik Wilson found himself on the Chiefs practice squad after clearing waivers just before season began. Sunday he drew the nod at right inside linebacker in place of Justin March-Lillard, on injured reserve with a broken hand.
Wilson responded with one of the most efficient games of his career, picking up five tackles and assisting on three others.
“He did some good things,” Reid said. “It looked fast initially, but as the game went on, I thought he started catching up a little with the speed of it.”
Rookie defensive lineman Chris Jones also stepped into the starting lineup in place of injured Allen Bailey. Jones played 51 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Rakeem Nunez-Roches also filled in for five snaps, along with newly acquired Kendall Reyes with two snaps.
“We played a lot of young guys,” Reid said. “Chris Jones got in as well and he did a pretty good job against a pretty explosive offense. Steven Nelson continued to improve, D.J. White is another guy that got in and he had a good snap count. That’s important as we go along here — getting more guys experience.”
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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.
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