It turns out Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Cameron Erving had offseason shoulder surgery, which caused him to miss Thursday’s practice.
Offseason training activities are underway for the Kansas City Chiefs once again on Thursday and a couple players missed practice, including offensive lineman Cameron Erving who had offseason shoulder surgery.
As far as we can tell, it’s the first reported instance of Erving’s procedure, so we’re not entirely sure how long he will be out or even how serious the situation was in the first place.
Erving came over to the Chiefs two years in a preseason trade with the Cleveland Browns in one of general manager Brett Veach’s first trades. Erving took some time to settle into a starting role, but he’s moved into the left guard spot between Eric Fisher and Mitch Morse while also giving the team positional flexibility in case of emergencies. Erving also comes with starting experience at every spot on the interior as well as time at tackle.
Erving is likely entrenched in the left guard spot once again after playing 963 snaps a year ago—that is, if he’s healthy and ready to go. The Chiefs are already toying with a new starter in the center role after Mitch Morse signed a mega-deal with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. The competition there will come down to Austin Reiter and seventh round pick Nick Allegretti, although Jimmy Murray remains a possibility. It’s also true that Erving could scoot over to center and allow Andrew Wylie to play guard across from Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who should be healthy once again.
Erving signed a two-year, $8.3 million extension with the Chiefs last summer, which means he’s signed through the 2020 season.