Chiefs injury report: Status of Tamba Hali, Branden Albert in question

The Kansas City Chiefs have five players -- five important players -- on the injury report this week as they prepare to face the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

Here's an update on all five players as we await the official injury report this afternoon:

Branden Albert: He has a back injury and might practice today. Crennel said that he would really like to see Albert practice before he plays on Friday so if he doesn't go today then you can probably plan on seeing rookie Donald Stephenson at left tackle again.

Tamba Hali: He has a knee injury and hasn't practiced all week. Crennel was non-committal on whether Hali had to practice before he could play this weekend. He wants to see him do at least a little bit today.

Ryan Lilja: He has a knee injury, and hasn't practiced all week. Crennel noted that last week Lilja didn't practice on Wednesday and Thursday, did a little bit on Friday and still played, so he sounded somewhat confident that Lilja would be ready to go.

Dexter McCluster: He didn't practice on Wednesday, and was limited on Thursday. He has been cleared from his head injury so, medically, he's ready to go.

Kendrick Lewis: Officially listed as not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, Lewis' status is up in the air. Crennel said he wasn't sure yet if he could practice today.