Willie Gay injury update: Chiefs linebacker expected to miss 2-4 weeks

An ankle sprain will keep Willie Gay out 2-4 weeks for the Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs lost a couple young players to injury on Sunday against the L.A. Chargers, shortly before they begin their postseason run. Fortunately they could get one of them back for the playoffs with the news that rookie linebacker Willie Gay, Jr. is expected to miss 2-4 weeks due to a high ankle sprain, per Sam McDowell of the K.C. Star.

The Chiefs won’t play again until two weeks from the game in which Gay was injured, so it’s entirely possible that he is rested and healed enough to suit up without ever missing a single contest. That said, the playoffs are a short run so it’s also within the realm of possibility that Gay misses the entirety of the postseason. It’s interesting how such a small stretch of time can mean so much in a time like this.

If all goes the Chiefs’ way this January, they will only play two games before reaching the Super Bowl potentially, so every game is a big loss for Gay. The Chiefs have been running thin at linebacker for the last few weeks, but help is on the way with Damien Wilson‘s return to the lineup after missing a month on Sunday. In addition, Anthony Hitchens should be available once the Chiefs play again after sitting the last two weeks on the reserve/COVID list.

It’s uncertain yet as to whether or not the Chiefs will have Ben Niemann back from a hamstring injury. Combined with Gay’s ankle sprain, the team is still short on options there. However, Darius Harris now has a couple games of experience and Hitchens and Wilson are the base starters, so they’re used to playing the lion’s share of available snaps as it is. Dorian O’Daniel is also an outside name to keep in mind as the Chiefs contemplate their options moving forward.