Injury Will Play Big Part in Chiefs-Broncos Rematch

Nov 24, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston (50) leaves the field with an injury against the San Diego Chargers in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. San Diego won 41-38. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday’s Chiefs-Broncos matchup is going to look far different than the first one, and not just because the game will be played in Arrowhead.

Several Chiefs and Broncos will be watched heavily this week as the injury bug has begun to demolish both teams. The key names to pay attention to this week are as follows:

CHIEFS

Mike DeVito (knee): DeVito’s was missed against the run. And with the potential of Houston and Hali missing a week or more, the quick return is very important.

Jon Asamoah (shoulder): Indications point towards Asamoah having a strong chance to return this week. He was listed as probable all week before being declared inactive. Geoff Schwartz was very good in his absence, so it is not a disaster if Asamoah is out.

Eric Fisher (shoulder): Fisher missed Sunday’s game with a aggravation of a shoulder injury he has been dealing with all season. Donald Stephenson played in his absence.

Like Asamoah, his injury isn’t considered to be serious and it is thought he could return this week.

Tamba Hali (ankle): Early thoughts are that Hali may have an ankle sprain, but that is hard to believe after watching the way he left Sunday’s game. The biggest fear is that he has a ruptured achilles, which would mean his season is over. The best case would be for it to just be a mild sprain, which should mean he’d be good to go against Denver.

Justin Houston (elbow): Initial reports are that Houston’s elbow separated and then popped back into place all within a few seconds. He left Arrowhead with is arm in a sling, and is scheduled for an MRI today.

BRONCOS

Champ Bailey (foot):

Bailey has missed several games this season with a foot injury, including last night’s game against New England. Signals are pointing towards his return against Kansas City, but he is still slowed by the foot injury. And with Rodgers-Cromartie possibly being out, his return couldn’t be more timely for Denver.

Julius Thomas (knee):

Thomas was listed as questionable all week before being declared inactive for the Patriots game. Odds seem to lean in favor of him playing against the Chiefs but he is clearly beat up pretty bad if he is missing an important game.

Peyton Manning (ankle):

So far as we know, Manning is 100% ready to go for the Chiefs game at Arrowhead. But he is still listed on the Broncos injury report as having ankle issues, and he clearly is struggling to move around after watching last night’s game.

Knowshon Moreno (ankle):

All the carries the last few weeks seemed to have taken a toll on Moreno’s body. He left Sunday’s game with a boot on his foot and is scheduled to undergo an MRI today.

Antonio Rodgers-Cromartie (shoulder): Rodgers-Cromartie left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury after attempting to intercept and meaningless hail mary at the end of the first half. The seriousness of the injury is unknown – he was original considered probable to return before being declared out. Was that a Denver being too cautious thing or is the injury more serious than initially thought?