KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs are down two starters for Sunday’s pivotal game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Sept. 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs defensive end Allen Bailey (97) during pregame introductions against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Defensive end Allen Bailey (calf) and left guard Ben Grubbs (neck) have been ruled out.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters Friday that Bailey “tweaked” and “strained” the calf while warming up Thursday.
The Chiefs have depth on the defensive line and are set to welcome back starting defensive end Mike DeVito, who is listed as probable after putting in a full week of practice. DeVito missed two straight games after suffering a concussion in Week 6.
With Grubbs out of the lineup for a second straight game, the Chiefs are likely to start Jeff Allen at left guard and Jah Reid at right tackle.
“He’s making progress,” the head coach said of Grubbs, who suffered the neck injury in Week 7.
The Chiefs also ruled out rookie tight end James O’Shaughnessy, who suffered a foot injury Thursday.
“O’Shaughnessy fractured his foot,” Reid told reporters, “So he’s out – a small bone in the foot.”
The Chiefs will go with tight ends Travis Kelce (groin, probable), Demetrius Harris and rookie Brian Parker with O’Shaughnessy out.
Starting outside Tamba Hali (knee) did not practice Friday, but is officially listed as probable. The Chiefs have taken easy in recent weeks on Hali, who has been dealing with swelling.
Rookie inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (ankle) is questionable after putting in a limited practice Friday.
Meanwhile, the Broncos list outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (back) as out.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) missed a third straight practice and is officially listed as questionable.
“We’ll check him tomorrow morning, see how he’s doing,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak told the Denver media on Sanders’ status. “It’s probably going to be a game-time decision. We know it’s bothering him, but we’ll see. We’ll see if he can get there.”
Quarterback Peyton Manning, who is dealing with a sore foot, put in a limited practice Friday for a second straight day and is officially listed as probable.
Friday’s injury report as released by the Chiefs:
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: DE Allen Bailey (calf), G Ben Grubbs (neck), TE James O’Shaughnessy (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: LB Ramik Wilson (ankle)
PROBABLE: DE Mike DeVito (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin)
Practice report
Did not participate in practice:
Wednesday: G Ben Grubbs (neck), LB Tamba Hali (knee)
Thursday: DE Allen Bailey (calf), G Ben Grubbs (neck)
Friday: DE Allen Bailey (calf), G Ben Grubbs (neck), LB Tamba Hali (knee), TE James O’Shaughnessy (foot)
Limited participation:
Thursday: TE James O’Shaughnessy (foot)
Friday: LB Ramik Wilson (ankle)
Full participation:
Wednesday: DE Mike Devito (concussion), TE Travis Kelce (groin), LB Ramik Wilson (ankle)
Thursday: DE Mike Devito (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), LB Ramik Wilson (ankle)
Friday: DE Mike Devito (concussion), TE Travis Kelce (groin)
DENVER BRONCOS
OUT: LB DeMarcus Ware (back)
QUESTIONABLE: WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle)
PROBABLE: RB C.J. Anderson (ankle), TE Owen Daniels (shoulder, knee), TE Virgil Green (finger), T Ryan Harris (knee), RB Ronnie Hillman (quadricep), QB Peyton Manning (foot), WR Jordan Norwood (hamstring), LB Shane Ray (knee), G Louis Vasquez (back)
Did not participate in practice:
Wednesday: TE Owen Daniels (shoulder, knee), QB Peyton Manning (foot), WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), LB DeMarcus Ware (back)
Thursday: WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), LB DeMarcus Ware (back)
Friday: WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), LB DeMarcus Ware (back)
Limited participation:
Wednesday: WR Jordan Norwood (hamstring), LB Shane Ray (knee), G Louis Vasquez (back)
Thursday: TE Owen Daniels (shoulder, knee), QB Peyton Manning (foot), WR Jordan Norwood (hamstring), LB Shane Ray (knee), G Louis Vasquez (back)
Friday: QB Peyton Manning (foot)
Full participation:
Wednesday: RB C.J. Anderson (ankle), TE Virgil Green (finger), T Ryan Harris (knee), RB Ronnie Hillman (quadricep)
Thursday: RB C.J. Anderson (ankle), TE Virgil Green (finger), T Ryan Harris (knee), RB Ronnie Hillman (quadricep)
Friday: RB C.J. Anderson (ankle), TE Owen Daniels (shoulder, knee), TE Virgil Green (finger), T Ryan Harris (knee), RB Ronnie Hillman (quadricep), WR Jordan Norwood (hamstring), LB Shane Ray (knee), G Louis Vasquez (back)
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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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