The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing to play the Denver Broncos this weekend and it looks like they'll be at least one man down when they do.
Via Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com, Chiefs have ruled out CB Jackie Bates for Sunday's game. He injured his knee last week against the Seattle Seahawks and earlier this week the Chiefs signed CB Mike Richardson suggesting Bates may not be able to go. That will be the case this weekend.
That's not the only area of concern in the secondary. The Chiefs ruled CB Brandon Flowers (hamstring) questionable for Sunday's game. Nick Wright of 610 Sports reported on Friday that Flowers is not expected to play. This is frustrating because the last time KC played Denver they were torched in the secondary and were also missing two players (Jon McGraw and Kendrick Lewis).
That's the end of the bad news on the injury report. Here's the good news:
S Kendrick Lewis is listed as probable after he joined the injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury. As it's been noted, KC is 7-1 with Lewis and 0-3 without him. G Ryan Lilja is also listed as probable. Last week he was listed as questionable and did play so it looks whatever ails him is healing up. Finally, S Jon McGraw is making his return after a three-week absence. McGraw had a head injury and is probable to play.
Notable names not on the injury report this week: WR Dexter McCluster and LT Branden Albert. We'll see them on Sunday.