Chiefs news: Mike Pennel given suspension to start the season

The Chiefs could be without Mike Pennel due to a suspension to start the year.

According to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the Kansas City Chiefs are likely going to start the year without the efforts of Mike Pennel in the middle of the defensive front. That’s because the lineman is facing a suspension to begin the year.

The reason for the suspension is not yet known but the issue is clearly far from settled. More details are likely coming soon since teams like the Chiefs will need to plan accordingly to start the season.

Pennel was a revelation along the defensive line last season for the Chiefs after signing during the middle of the regular season as a depth addition. His addition to the team’s run defense was a big part of the turnaround in their defensive success at midseason, which is why Brett Veach, the team’s general manager, was so keen to re-sign him to a new one-year deal this offseason.

Without Pennel for any length of time, the Chiefs will undoubtedly miss his presence against the run but they are also deep enough along the entire defensive line to handle a short-lived absence like this. Chris Jones is the anchor in the middle and Khalen Saunders and Derrick Nnadi are also both young players whose best football is ahead of them. Braxton Hoyett was just re-signed and Tershawn Wharton is also available on the roster.

If Pennel is lost to suspension, that will be two players likely out for the beginning of the season for the Chiefs due to the same, given that Bashaud Breeland faces a four-game suspension currently under appeal.

Pennel played in 8 games last season in Kansas City and had 24 tackles, 2 quarterback hits and 1 sack. In his six-year NFL career, Pennel has 126 total tackles, 12 quarterback hits and 2 sacks for the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.