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Kansas City Chiefs: Pass Rush Injuries Piling Up

By Charles Lam

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws the ball in front of Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) during the first half in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws the ball in front of Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) during the first half in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs have dealt with injuries this off season. During Minicamp, Dee Ford tweaked his knee. Tamba Hali and Justin Houston had knee surgeries earlier this off season as well.

Dee Ford walked off the practice field gingerly on Wednesday.  It was later revealed, Ford had tendonitis in his knee during an Andy Reid press conference. He partially practiced on Thursday. It seems as if the tendonitis is not severe enough to keep Ford out for an extended period of time.

Outside Linebacker Justin Houston will be out for a while. He underwent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery in February. Houston did not participate at Mini Camp due to the injury. He should be able to play regular season games for the Kansas City Chiefs sometime this season. There is no timetable for his return.

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Justin Houston is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL when he is healthy. He had 22 sacks and four forced fumbles during the 2014 season. If the Kansas City Chiefs loss him for an extended period of time, that will significantly hurt the teams chances of making it back to the playoffs.

Tamba Hali is getting older. He’s 32-years-old and injuries are stacking against him. This off-season he had knee surgery. The Chiefs will ease him back into his regular playing time. He will be ready week one given no set backs occur.

Other guys will have to set up while Ford, Houston and Hali aren’t available. Guys like Frank Zombo, Dezman Moses and rookie Chris Jones will have to fill in and produce.

Zombo has 10 sacks during his six years in the NFL. Those aren’t impressive numbers but at least he has racked up sacks at the NFL level. He’s more of an off the bench player. He gives it all when he’s called upon but he doesn’t have the talent to be a great sack master.

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Moses is a 27-year-old without much sack success. He had four sacks in 2012 as a member of the Green Bay Packers but none since then. He’s played in 26 games for the Kansas City Chiefs but has yet to start a game for the men in red.

Jones is the most intriguing player of the guys that need to step up. He’s a talented rookie from Mississippi State University. He accumulated 8.5 sacks for the Bulldogs during his three-year college career. He added 17.5 tackles for loss and 94 tackles overall. Hopefully he can translate his talents to the NFL well.

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The guys will look to impress at training camp this summer. The first day of camp is set for Saturday, July 30th at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. Practice beings at 3:30 in the afternoon, weather permitting.

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