Chiefs defensive lineman sits out practice before Chargers game in Week 4

Few players have been as reliable up front for the Kansas City Chiefs as defensive lineman Mike Danna since he first arrived with the team five years ago. That's what makes the sight of him sitting out of practice so startling.

On Thursday, the Chiefs went back to practice to prepare for the challenge of going into Los Angeles and walking out with a divisional win against the Chargers in Week 4, However, Danna was the one player sitting out of drills with his helmet off. The official report has a calf injury for Danna.

The Chiefs were down a defensive lineman in practice on Thursday as they prepare to face the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

Danna has averaged 15 games per year since he was first drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Michigan. After a season of largely serving as a rotational part, Danna has steadily ascended the team's depth chart to become a vital cog up front and starting end opposite George Karlaftis.

This past spring, the Chiefs found a way to bring back Danna financially on a second contract to the tune of three years and $24 million—with $13 million of that guaranteed. It was a surprising move only in that the Chiefs are typically content to let most young players leave for better money given their own constraints, but Danna was an exception for general manager Brett Veach.

This year, Danna has started all three games for the Chiefs so far, but the results have been off in the disruption department.

It's quite possible that an injury explains things given that Danna was on the injured list with a quad injury in Week 2. Fortunately he was still a full participant in practice and able to play in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.