Chiefs Injury Report - Key Players Return To Practice

Injuries played a big part in the Chiefs’ season-opening loss to the Falcons last Sunday, as the defense found itself completely overmatched after due to the absence of several key players. There are some positive signs that the Chiefs are getting closer to full strength, although it is still unknown who will be playing this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Five players who have been battling injuries returned to practice on Wednesday – cornerback Brandon Flowers, safety Kendrick Lewis, defensive tackle Anthony Toribio, cornerback Jalil Brown and defensive end Allen Bailey. None of the players were full participants in the practice, but it is a good sign that they suited up and got some repetitions. Flowers also got some practice time last week, and head coach Romeo Crennel has indicated that Flowers will play when he is able to significantly practice. Wide receiver Devon Wylie, who has been battling a hamstring injury, did not practice and will miss Sunday’s game.

Flowers, Lewis and Toribio were all starters entering the season, while Brown and Bailey are key backups. Having both Flowers and Brown hurt at the same time is an especially crushing blow for Kansas City’s defense, as Brown serves as Flowers’ backup. With both absent on Sunday, plus Lewis’ injury, Atlanta’s wide receivers had a field day.

While the Chiefs are missing some key pieces on defense, the Bills are without two crucial offensive players. During their opening day blowout loss to the New York Jets, Buffalo lost both running back Fred Jackson and wide receiver David Nelson. Jackson sprained his knee and will miss four weeks, while Nelson tore a right knee ligament and has been placed on injured reserve, ending his 2012 season. The end result will be two depleted units facing each other for the first time since the Bills blew out the Chiefs in last season’s opener.

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Chiefs Survive Scare From Buffalo

This one was supposed to be easy. With the red-hot Chiefs facing lowly Buffalo, everyone predicted an easy Kansas City victory. In the end, the Chiefs were lucky to escape with a win, as Ryan Succop nailed a field goal as overtime expired to give Kansas City a 13-10 victory.

Many thought the Chiefs would coast to an easy win given their favorable matchup in the run game. Kansas City entered the game leading the game in rushing, while the Bills boasted the worst rush defense in the NFL. The Chiefs took advantage of the matchup, rushing for over 270 yards including a 177 yard effort from Jamaal Charles. Matt Cassel delivered a steady performance, and the Chiefs defense looked good all night.

Despite the positives, something was missing all game for the Chiefs, and the Bills were able to keep it close. Facing a fourth and four late in the game, the Bills scored to force a wild overtime that was much more exciting than regulation. The Bills had a chance to win it, and Rian Lindell did just that. Only Todd Haley called timeout before the kick, and Lindell's next attempt hit the upright, giving the Chiefs the ball. Only Kansas City, after an impressive offensive drive, missed a FG of its own. However the Chiefs' defense held, and Succop finally delivered and helped the Chiefs avoid a rare overtime tie.

It was an ugly game, but even good teams have poor showings against bad teams. Kansas City won, and took a giant step towards a post-season birth by improving its record to 5-2.