Injury Report: De’Anthony Thomas A Full Participant In Practice

It would appear we are in the final days of the wait for De’Anthony Thomas.

Thomas, who has missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury, was a full participant in practice today. Barring a setback either Thursday or Friday one would assume DAT will be available to the Chiefs on the road against the San Francisco 49ers.

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Getting Thomas into the offense would be key on multiple levels. First, it would add an edge speed element that could make the Chiefs even more dangerous. Thomas flashed his world class speed on a punt return touchdown in the preseason and that image has been in most fans’ minds when trying to imagine him in the offense. The ability to attack either edge with Jamaal Charles or Thomas on the field at the same time could cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses.

Then there is the aforementioned special teams aspect. Frankie Hammond Jr. has done a serviceable job as a punt returner for the Chiefs the first four weeks of the season, but he is not the kind of dynamic player Thomas can be with the ball in his hands. With DAT back returning punts and Knile Davis returning kickoffs, the Chiefs are potentially the most difficult special teams unit to defend against.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the 2014 Kansas City Chiefs season without some sort of bad injury news. Eric Berry missed all of practice today due to his high ankle sprain. He has not practiced since the week before the Denver Broncos game in week two.

Berry would be a very nice piece to have back with the Chiefs having to defend a solid running game and potentially contain Vernon Davis (who has been limited in practice). Getting the rotational depth back plus some experience would be very useful in trying to shutdown an offense that could overpower them if the Chiefs are not careful.

Donnie Avery was also out of practice today with a groin injury that he suffered against the Patriots. If he cannot go this week then that means Frankie Hammond Jr. and Junior Hemingway are going to have to step up and have solid games.

Three players were limited in practice: Jamaal Charles, Sean Smith, and Tamba Hali. Charles and Tamba have been beat up all season so far so the ‘limited in practice’ designation is probably more about trying to keep them as healthy as possible than a concern that either will not play.

Smith’s groin injury is something of a concern, though he has been playing exceptionally well of late with the injury. That’s the one injury to keep an eye on that could turn for the worst.