KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (knee) will miss a fourth straight game after being ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
The status of outside linebacker Tamba Hali, however, remains in the air.
The Chiefs designate Hali as questionable despite the starting linebacker missing a full week of practice after undergoing surgery Tuesday to repair a broken right thumb.
Hali, a 10th-year pro, doesn’t require a full week of practice to play, evidenced throughout the season when the Chiefs rested Hali while he dealt with knee swelling.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid and head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said Wednesday that Hali is considered “day-to-day,” and the questionable designation means Hali has a 50-50 chance to play.
Sixth-year pro Frank Zombo is the likely candidate to fill in if Hali can’t play Sunday.
The Chiefs also ruled safety Husain Abdullah (concussion) as out, marking the fourth straight game he will miss.
Second-year wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas put in full practice for a third straight day Friday, and is officially listed as probable. Thomas is well on track to resume his role on offense and special teams.
Guard Jeff Allen (ankle) also put in a full practice the entire week and is set to return to action after missing the past two games.
The Chiefs remaining players listed as probable are running back Spencer Ware (rib), tight end Travis Kelce (groin) and outside linebacker Dee Ford (knee).
The Browns list running back Glenn Winston (concussion) as out, while starting center Alex Mack (calf), staring guard Cameron Erving (ankle) and starting left tackle Joe Thomas (knee) are questionable.
Friday’s injury report as released by the Chiefs:
CLEVELAND BROWNS
OUT: RB Glenn Winston (concussion)
QUESTIONABLE: G Cameron Erving (ankle), RB Duke Johnson (hamstring), C Alex Mack (calf), WR Marlon Moore (ribs), T Joe Thomas (knee), CB K’Waun Williams (shoulder)
PROBABLE: DE Desmond Bryant (thumb), K Travis Coons (right groin), RB Isaiah Crowell (not injury related), WR Taylor Gabriel (not injury related)
Practice report*
*NOTE: The Browns did not practice Friday and participation is estimated, according to the injury report.
Did not participate in practice:
Wednesday: RB Isaiah Crowell (not injury related), WR Taylor Gabriel (not injury related), RB Duke Johnson (hamstring), C Alex Mack (calf), DE Randy Starks (not injury related), T Joe Thomas (knee), RB Glenn Winston (concussion)
Thursday: RB Isaiah Crowell (not injury related), WR Taylor Gabriel (not injury related), RB Glenn Winston (concussion)
Friday: RB Glenn Winston (concussion)
Limited participation:
Wednesday: DE Desmond Bryant (thumb), G Cameron Erving (ankle), WR Marlon Moore (ribs), CB K’Waun Williams (shoulder)
Thursday: DE Desmond Bryant (thumb), G Cameron Erving (ankle), RB Duke Johnson (hamstring), C Alex Mack (calf), WR Marlon Moore (ribs), T Joe Thomas (knee), CB K’Waun Williams (shoulder)
Friday: G Cameron Erving (ankle), RB Duke Johnson (hamstring), C Alex Mack (calf), WR Marlon Moore (ribs), T Joe Thomas (knee), CB K’Waun Williams (shoulder)
Full participation:
Wednesday: K Travis Coons (right groin)
Thursday: K Travis Coons (right groin), DE Randy Starks (not injury related)
Friday: DE Desmond Bryant (thumb), K Travis Coons (right groin), RB Isaiah Crowell (not injury related), WR Taylor Gabriel (not injury related), DE Randy Starks (not injury related)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUT: S Husain Abdullah (concussion), LB Justin Houston (knee),
QUESTIONABLE: LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee)
PROBABLE: G Jeff Allen (ankle), LB Dee Ford (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR De’Anthony Thomas (concussion), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
Practice report
Did not participate in practice:
Wednesday: S Husain Abdullah (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee), LB Justin Houston (knee)
Thursday: S Husain Abdullah (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee), LB Justin Houston (knee)
Friday: S Husain Abdullah (concussion), LB Tamba Hali (thumb, knee), LB Justin Houston (knee)
Limited participation:
Wednesday: RB Spencer Ware (rib)
Full participation:
Wednesday: G Jeff Allen (ankle), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR De’Anthony Thomas (concussion)
Thursday: G Jeff Allen (ankle), LB Dee Ford (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR De’Anthony Thomas (concussion), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
Friday: G Jeff Allen (ankle), LB Dee Ford (knee), TE Travis Kelce (groin), WR De’Anthony Thomas (concussion), RB Spencer Ware (rib)
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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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