The Kansas City Chiefs just released even worse news about left tackle Eric Fisher and the end result could be considerable time missed.
Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher has gone from healthy to questionable to now out for what looks to be a considerable amount of time as the season progresses.
While Fisher was healthy going into Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team’s Pro Bowl tackle suffered a groin injury in practice going into Week 2 that made him questionable to play. Fisher, in fact, played only four snaps before giving way to the bench as he was replaced by Cam Erving. It looks like that arrangement could be semi-permanent, at least until Fisher proves he’s healthy again.
Terez Paylor of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Fisher’s groin injury has turned into a need for core muscle surgery. Further consultation from a specialist is needed—all of which sounds as if Fisher could miss multiple games rather than remaining questionable for the upcoming contest against the Baltimore Ravens.
Ian Rapoport followed suit saying that someone has already been tabbed to perform the procedure and that recovery time is typically a month or more (4 to 6 weeks). That being the case, the Chiefs will be without their left tackle for important games coming up against the Ravens (this week, a clash of unbeaten division leaders early in the year), the Colts (Week 5), and Texans (Week 6). If the injury stretches to the maximum six weeks or more, it also means Fisher will miss a showdown with the Packers at Arrowhead in Week 8.
Fisher hasn’t missed a single game going back to his rookie campaign in 2013, but now that stretch will officially break. The Chiefs have the option to move Mitchell Schwartz over from right tackle or go with Erving as a long-term replacement. It also wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Chiefs look at a free agent signing if it looks like Fisher will need a full third of a season off to heal.
The most important thing right now is to make sure Fisher is healthy when it counts the most. If that means keeping him out for more regular season contests, that has to be okay. Everything about this season (and beyond) is concerned only with the Super Bowl.