The Chiefs don’t have linebackers Tamba Hali or Justin Houston at practice on Wednesday, but their coach is optimistic about the chances of having at least one of them on the field against the Broncos on Sunday.
Reid said, via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star, that Hali went through the team’s walkthrough on Wednesday, which he called a “big step” that gives Hali a good chance of being in the lineup. Hali is off crutches and said he has been able to push off on the ankle and plans on playing even though he hasn’t tried cutting or running on the field since suffering the injury.
The news isn’t quite so rosy when it comes to Houston. The swelling in his elbow was still too great for an MRI on Tuesday so he had to wait until Wednesday to see what kind of damage he did when he dislocated it against the Chargers last weekend.
After watching the Kansas City defense get lit up by San Diego once both linebackers were out of the game, it’s difficult to like their chances against the Broncos if both men are out. Having just one of them on a bad wheel may not improve things all that much, but it’s better than nothing.