Ropati Pitoitua expected to play for Chiefs against Ravens despite injury

Finally some good news: Ropati Pitoitua is expected to play today when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Baltimore Ravens. Pitoitua missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was limited on Friday before the Chiefs labeled him questionable.

But the KC Star's Randy Covitz reports that Pitoitua has been fitted for a special brace and will play today against the Ravens.

UPDATE: He's not playing today.

This is actually pretty significant news. With Glenn Dorsey out due to injury, Pitoitua is a starter at defensive end with only Allen Bailey behind him. He has emerged as a legit defensive lineman option for the Chiefs, which is somewhat of a surprise, because I thought he was one of those random offseason signings you wouldn't think twice about during the season.

But after today that'll be two consecutive starts for Pitoitua.

Pitoitua has a nice opportunity here as far as his future with the Chiefs is concerned. Dorsey's contract is up after this year. That position is hardly settled. What he's doing right now could affect what happens down the road in KC.

Here's the complete injury report entering the game:

Out: Peyton Hillis, Glenn Dorsey, Jalil Brown and Devon Wylie

Questionable: Ropati Pitoitua, Derrick Johnson, Kendrick Lewis

Probable: Brandon Flowers, Jon Baldwin, Ryan Lilja