Chiefs concerns heading into regular season

As the preseason winds down and Kansas City Chiefs fans ready themselves for what hopes to be a memorable 2016 season, recent events and comments should at least give Chiefs fans pause before they put that deposit down on Super Bowl tickets.

We’ll explore a couple of those issues as we look forward towards the 2016 season.

• First off is the apparently lack of recovery from Justin Houston, and when or if he’ll ever be ready for the 2016 season.

When the injury/surgery was announced in March, many a Chiefs fan, and rightly so, became very worried about the prospect of missing time. However, Andy Reid and John Dorsey’s comments assuaged those concerns and led many to believe Houston would not miss many regular season games if any.

Now, as we stare down the barrel of the season, Houston is on the PUP list (meaning he’s ineligible to practice or play until Week 6. Not a total surprise, but not quite what Chiefs fans were hoping for during the spring. It’s an interesting test as we enter the season.

• Josh Mauga out for the season

Mauga’s greatest asset was his ability to be in the right place, and to absorb blockers, allowing Derrick Johnson the ability to attack and penetrate without having to take on blockers himself. Without Mauga, does that impact Johnson’s ability to make plays, especially in the run game?

It will be up likely Ramik Wilson to take on that role. No, fan favorite Justin March does not fit that role. Very similar, to a degree, as Derrick Johnson, his quickness would be basically neutralized simply by him being asked to take on blockers.

Going forward, this column will be dedicated to targeting and researching players that I believe could be possibilities for the Chiefs in the next draft. Get excited.