Chiefs news: Mike Danna placed on COVID/reserve list

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed rookie end Mike Danna on the reserve/COVID list.

Shortly after word leaked that Anthony Hitchens was back to work with the Kansas City Chiefs from a long stint on the COVID/reserve list, the team has placed another young defender on it. The team moved defensive end Mike Danna to the list on Wednesday, per the league’s transaction report.

According to NFL reporter Field Yates, Danna’s was a “high-risk close contact“, which could point to Barry Rubin, the team’s strength and conditioning coach who recently tested positive for COVID. All of this is just conjecture, of course.

Nevertheless, the Chiefs now have to hope that Danna is able to pass the requisite tests soon enough over the next several days as the team will be gearing up for practice and preparation next week for the divisional round of the postseason. If the Titans beat the Bills on Saturday, the Chiefs will know that soon who they play, since they are the lowest seed in the AFC. Otherwise, the Chiefs will wait until Sunday night to know who they will face.

Danna has been an integral piece along the defensive front all season. The rookie fifth round pick has been a wonderful surprise for the Chiefs as a pro-ready rookie who earned meaningful snaps as early as Week 1—all without the benefit of preseason games. On the year, Danna has played in 13 games for the Chiefs, making 1 start, with 25 total tackles, 6 quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, while playing 31 percent of all defensive snaps for the Chiefs.