KC Chiefs players who could shine with more playing time in Week 17
By Matt Conner
Darius Harris
In Week 16, we already saw some of what Darius Harris could bring to the linebacking corps if given more playing time. In the wake of injuries to Damien Wilson and Ben Niemann and the lack of availability of Anthony Hitchens, the Chiefs were paper thin at the linebacker position in their game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, which meant plenty of reps for the likes of Harris, Willie Gay, and Omari Cobb.
While the results were a mixed bag overall, it should be noted that the Chiefs strong overall defensive effort was the primary factor in bringing home the team’s 14th win of the season. Harris himself was given the green dot, signifying the defensive communicator role. That means Harris was tasked with not only focusing on his own assignment but also channeling the wishes of the defensive staff to the players on the field.
If Harris can show marked improvement in Week 17—because we’re unlikely to see the Chiefs suddenly rush to get Wilson or Niemann back on the field for a meaningless game—it could go a long way toward making him a valuable contributor on special teams and as a backup linebacker in 2021. Wilson is an unrestricted free agent and Niemann is an RFA, which means a spot could be open for Harris higher on the depth chart—if he’s ready for it.