KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three Chiefs players who were injured during the team’s season-opening 34-20 win against the Houston Texans last week remain sidelined. All three are contributors on defense.
Kansas City coach Andy Reid said Charvarius Ward, Alex Okafor and Khalen Saunders were the only players who would not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
Ward, a starting cornerback for the Chiefs, broke a bone in his left hand during the win against the Texans, but he hasn’t been ruled for Week 2.
Saunders, a second-year defensive tackle, suffered a dislocated elbow against Houston, but NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport said there were no broken bones and surgery won’t be required.
Still, he’s expected to be out for a month, according to Rapoport, though Reid did not confirm a timeline for Saunders’ possible return.
#Chiefs DT Khalen Saunders, who left their opener early after a dislocated elbow, is expected to be out about a month, source said. There were no fractures and he does not need surgery. Considering the injury, Saunders was pretty fortunate.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2020
Saunders is listed as Derrick Nnadi's only backup at defensive tackle, while undrafted rookie Tershawn Wharton from Missouri S&T is the only other backup defensive tackle currently listed on the Chiefs' active roster.
Finally, Okafor, whose contract was restructured in August, suffered a hamstring injury. He missed the end of last season, including the playoffs, with a torn pectoral muscle.
The Chiefs are scheduled to play at the Los Angeles Chargers at 3:25 p.m. on Sunday, the team’s first visit to SoFi Stadium.
