The Kansas City Chiefs face serious potential losses in Week 9 at linebacker as both Anthony Hitchens and Justin Houston are questionable.
At the midpoint of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs are mounting up numerous injuries like most teams as they try to deal with the grueling regular season and the physical nature of each game. For the Chiefs, one of the biggest areas of concern comes at linebacker with players both out and questionable.
The Chiefs will be without two players for sure in starting center Mitch Morse, who remains out with a concussion since Week 6 against the New England Patriots, and outside linebacker Frank Zombo. Zombo has a hamstring injury and head coach Andy Reid admitted it was serious after last week’s win over the Denver Broncos.
In addition to the loss of Zombo for the game, the Chiefs also face decisions on whether or not they will put inside linebacker Anthony Hitchens and outside linebacker Justin Houston at further risk to injury as both players try to make their way back. Hitchens has severely bruised ribs and it’s hard to imagine that heals well if he takes to the field for more tackles before he’s ready.
As for Houston, he’s been missing since Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a hamstring injury of his own. Houston has been the team’s best pass rusher for the last several years but injuries have held him back at various times. Fortunately, Dee Ford has exploded this year for the Chiefs and the team has gotten a lot of production from Chris Jones and Allen Bailey as well.
The Chiefs also listed Eric Berry as doubtful for the ninth consecutive game.
As for the Browns, they will be without linebacker John Schobert for sure, while several players are listed as questionable. Defensive back Damarious Randall, wideout Antonio Callaway and center J.C. Tretter are three of the bigger names who are uncertain whether they will play or not. Watch for inactives lists to see who is out for sure before the game begins.