Kansas City Chiefs Notes: Jeff Allen, Dwayne Bowe, Eric Berry, Jamaal Charles, Frankie Hammond

All kinds of changes are happening to the Chiefs lineup ahead of tonight’s ‘dress rehearsal’ against the Vikings. The key moves will happen along the offensive line, inside linebacker, and wide receiver.

The list of the players who will not dress tonight include Eric Berry, Dwayne Bowe, Mike DeVito, Junior Hemingway, Mike Catapano, and Josh Mauga. Jamaal Charles will dress tonight but it is unknown how much he will play or if he will play.

Jeff Allen will start in place of Donald Stephenson at right tackle according to multiple reports. Stephenson was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance enhancing substances policy but that suspension doesn’t start until week one of the regular season.

Allen did get some reps in at right tackle in OTAs and training camp while Eric Fisher and Stephenson dealt with their respective injuries, and Allen did play tackle in college. Jeff Linkenbach will start at left guard with Allen kicking out to the right side.

With Mauga and Mays out tonight, Nico Johnson and James-Michael Johnson each have tremendous opportunities to improve their stock on the roster. Nico may need a good night just to make the team. He’s going to start in place of Joe Mays tonight so the team can get a good look at him.

Also, Hemingway and Bowe’s absence clears a path for Frankie Hammond to get a lot of snaps tonight. Hammond will start in place of Bowe on the outside so he should see about three quarters of playing time. This is a big opportunity for him to not only make the team but also carve out a significant amount of playing time.