KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a whirlwind around 72 hours, Kansas City linebacker Tamba Hali went from the physically unable to perform list on to the active roster, and appears ready to reinforce the Chiefs’ dinged up pass rush.
The Kansas City Chiefs warmup on the field ahead of their game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 5, 2017. (Photo by Matt Derrick, ChiefsDigest.com)
Hali’s return comes at a time that linebacker Dee Ford misses his third game of the season and linebacker Justin Houston entered his second-straight game as questionable. The Chiefs limited Houston’s work in the practice the last two weeks to rest his surgically repaired knee.
That leaves Frank Zombo rookie Tanoh Kpassagnon as the team’s two healthy outside linebackers. Kpassagnon saw his first substantial playing Monday against Denver with 10 defensive snaps.
Zombo will start in Ford’s place. But Hali’s return adds much-needed depth and experience.
The Chiefs also get back help along the offensive line with the return of right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff. He missed the last four games with a sprained knee. His return coupled with the return of center Mitch Morse lets the Chiefs enter Sunday’s game against Dallas with its full opening-week offensive line for the first time since Week 2 against Philadelphia.
The Cowboys will again be without kicker Dan Bailey, who misses his second game with a right groin injury. Veteran kicker Mike Nugent takes his place. Nugent hit four of five field goal attempts against Washington last week.
CHIEFS INACTIVES:
LB Dee Ford, WR Albert Wilson, QB Tyler Bray, LB Ramik Wilson, LG Parker Ehinger, OL Jordan Devey and DL Jarvis Jenkins
COWBOYS INACTIVES:
K Dan Bailey, RB Darren McFadden, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LB Justin Durant, T Byron Bell, TE Blake Jarwin and WR Noah Brown.
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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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