KC Chiefs enter bye week with several injury questions to answer

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Mitchell Schwartz #71 of the Kansas City Chiefs on the field prior to the start of the game against Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 29: Mitchell Schwartz #71 of the Kansas City Chiefs on the field prior to the start of the game against Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 29, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Oct 11, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alex Okafor (57) blocks Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) during the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alex Okafor (57) blocks Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) during the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex Okafor

They say the game is won and lost in the trenches and it’s here that Alex Okafor fits in best. When healthy, Okafor is a solid player who can get after the passer yet also set the edge in the run game, and he’s filled in adequately as a starting end opposite Frank Clark during the team’s Super Bowl run.

This season Okafor is playing a backup role to Tanoh Kpassagnon, but it’s also not helping that Okafor can’t seem to stay off of injured reserve. Last year, a hip strain, an ankle sprain and a torn pectoral muscle kept him out on various occasions. This season, he’s missed the last few weeks due to a hamstring injury and he also sat Week 2 and Week 3 due to injury as well.

Okafor is likely done after this season in K.C. but his return would go a long way toward solidifying a defensive end position that has looked very thin at times in the season’s first half. Okafor’s veteran presence and talent will come in handy in the postseason as the Chiefs hope to be at full strength for when the games matter most.

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