Justin Houston expected OUT, Tamba Hali IN

The Kansas City Chiefs saw a familiar face at practice on Friday in the person of outside linebacker Justin Houston. It was the first time Houston had been on the field in any capacity since hyperextending his knee in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills.

However, despite his questionable designation on the injury report, Houston is not expected to play. Ed Werder of ESPN reports that Houston will likely be on the sideline but not active, while his partner in crime should be dressed. Tamba Hali broke his thumb against the Baltimore Ravens and is expected to give it a go, once again per Werder.

Frankly, Houston should get another week if he has any discomfort at all in his knee. Kansas City went on the road and beat the Oakland Raiders in Week 13 without him, and could certainly do it again. While Dee Ford does not hold a candle to Houston, he’s a god player who can rush the quarterback.

This game does have massive implications should the New York Jets win, though. Kansas City would fall to the sixth seed with a loss and not play the Houston Texans, but instead the Cincinnati Bengals or Denver Broncos. With a victory, the Chiefs would be no wore than the fifth seed and perhaps AFC West champions if the San Diego Chargers beat Denver.