Chiefs vs. Bears: Steve Nelson, Allen Bailey will sit against Chicago

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without five key players, and maybe more, against the Chicago Bears on Saturday for their third preseason game.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Thursday to reporters that the team would not count on five significant players to play against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, the team’s third scheduled preseason game.

Most of those listed as out on the Chiefs’ injury report are not surprising, but it’s worth noting that each of these players is likely finished with any official preseason activity (looking at game play here) due to the fourth game largely featuring only back-ups and fringe prospects fighting for any open roster slots or practice squad hopes.

Here’s a look at the five players who are already ruled out:

• Steven Nelson has been out for several days in the league’s concussion protocol since he was first struck in the head by an Atlanta Falcons receiver during the Chiefs last preseason game last Friday.
• Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has also been in the concussion protocol for over a week, and he only now returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday. It’s not surprising to see the Chiefs keep their starting right guard out until it’s absolutely necessary so he can be ready for the regular season.
• Dan Sorensen is the least surprising name considering the Chiefs made it clear it would be six weeks before they even knew a firm timeline on his return from a broken tibia and more.
• Allen Bailey has been nursing a sore knee and the Chiefs have been careful bringing him back. Given his experience along the defensive line, there’s very little for him to learn and play for at this juncture. The risk is not worth jeopardizing further damage or aggravation.
• Eric Berry remains out with a sore heel that’s kept him out of the last several days of practice and the team’s last preseason game. Reid says the star safety is making progress but the team will likely give him as much time as he needs before the start of the season on September 9.

Further decisions will likely be made around game time, which is 12:00 p.m. C.T. on Saturday, to know whether or not a few more will be able to play—a list that includes running back Spencer Ware and inside linebacker Reggie Ragland.