The Kansas City Chiefs are ready to welcome back some linebacker help as they begin preparations for Week 7. Linebacker Cooper McDonald has been on injured reserve for more than a month, but the Chiefs have officially opened the 21-day window for him to return to practice.
McDonald has been on IR since September 16 after suffering a knee injury in the Chiefs' season-opening win over the Denver Broncos. While it was possible for McDonald to return after four weeks, which included the bye in Week 5, the young linebacker has clearly needed more time to heal, which now brings a midseason return into view.
Cooper McDonald's return is promising but not guaranteed
McDonald's return to practice doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back to work in the very near future. The 21-day window means that he can practice for up to three weeks before the franchise is forced to return him to the active roster or keep him shelved for the rest of the season. That the Chiefs want to open that window, however, points toward a return, which is good news for the second level of the defense.
Not that the Chiefs' defense has slacked off in McDonald's absence. In Week 6, the defense limited the L.A. Chargers to season-lows in points (6) and rushing yards (73) while forcing two turnovers in a 22-6 victory. But linebacker is one of the thinner positions on the entire roster, and McDonald is a promising player who was expected to take a meaningful step forward in 2026.
McDonald could carve out a role in Chiefs linebacker rotation
Remember, McDonald joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2025 and stayed on the active roster all year, providing special teams help in the process while learning the defense. The Chiefs refused to risk losing McDonald on the practice squad, and he came into training camp in '26 ready to assume a greater snap share with Jeffrey Bassa in the wake of Leo Chenal's departure.
So far, Bassa has remained largely benched, as Jack Cochrane has been given any extra reps at linebacker alongside Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill in the team's base defense. Given how often the Chiefs utilize nickel and dime packages, there aren't a ton of reps to go around for extra linebackers, but McDonald could provide a nice boost, even with a handful of snaps, if he's healthy and ready for the role.
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