Dee Ford leaves training camp practice with illness

Outside linebacker Dee Ford left Kansas City Chiefs training camp practice on Saturday due to an illness.

Outside linebacker Dee Ford left practice on Saturday due to feeling sick at Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri on Saturday.

Ford is the outside starter opposite Justin Houston in the team’s base defense and is the team’s second most proven pass rusher. Early on it was unclear why Ford left, but fortunately an illness shouldn’t be anything lasting. Last season, back injuries kept him out of all but six regular season games.

Ford more than doubled his sack total each year for his first three seasons in the NFL, from 1.5 during his lackluster rookie campaign to 10 sacks, a total that led the Chiefs and finished at No. 15 overall in the NFL, in 2016. Then last season, Ford took a dip in production due to his health. He finished the 2017 season with only 13 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble.

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Ford dealt with a back injury into the offseason but he’s slowly worked his way back and even stated he was “back in full form” for the Chiefs earlier this summer. Hopefully this injury has nothing to do with the back problems that plagued him in 2017.

For Ford, this is a contract year in which both sides will have to make a major decision on his playing future in Kansas City. The team has invested a lot in Ford over time, including a first round pick back in 2014, in order to develop another pass rusher to team with Houston. Unfortunately, Ford has yet to develop as a well-rounded player who the Chiefs can leave in to set the edge in the run effectively on a regular basis.

Breeland Speaks and Tanoh Kpassagnon will be given every chance to gain starters reps opposite Houston as the team prepares for their second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night.

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