Tamba Hali's Playing Time Won't Change In Chiefs' Preseason Finale

The Kansas City Chiefs do not plan to alter their use of Tamba Hali this weekend due to his Week 1 suspension. There was a thought that the Chiefs may play Tamba less and replacement Andy Studebaker more to prepare for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

But Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel says Tamba's role won't change this week.

"He's a football player," Crennel said. "He wants to play football, so we will let him play. I think that we'll keep on the same schedule that we're going to have the starters on and not give him anymore or any less because he is a starter, I don't think you want to expose him any more than you want to expose your other starters."

Studebaker will get the first crack at replacing Tamba in Week 1 and Crennel says Studebaker has been here and understands that role. He also says other replacement options, like Edgar Jones, will have to step up as needed.

"If it were a guy who had not been here like [Edgar] Jones, you might say, ‘Hey, we should give Jones more work because he's new in the system and all,'" Crennel said.

Studebaker knows the system. He's a solid backup option considering he was the starter opposite Tamba at this time last year.