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The Chiefs initial injury report of Raiders week came out on Wednesday and it did not include Dexter McCluster's name. Now, on Thursday, McCluster appears on the injury report because he did not practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury.
This could be anything. Or it could be something. We'll have to wait to hear from Andy Reid on Friday.
McCluster isn't a player of the importance of a Jamaal Charles but he does fulfill an important role on special teams as the team's punt returner. That's not a role that's easily replaced. The Chiefs have Quintin Demps and Knile Davis who have experience as kick returners, but not punt returners.
W/o McCluster, Chiefs had a collection of practice squad guys shagging punts at start of practice today
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) December 12, 2013
Teicher suggests WR Frankie Hammond Jr. from the practice squad, which isn't a bad idea. He caught some in preseason.
Again, we don't know if McCluster is legitimately in danger of missing Sunday's game or not. But it's concerning that this injury popped up on Thursday, just four days before the game.
In other injury news, LT Branden Albert remained out, not practicing for the second straight day. It's looking like he may not be able to play. If not, Donald Stephenson replaces him and Eric Fisher remains on the right side.
LB Justin Houston and TE Anthony Fasano were both limited in Thursday's practice. Houston had been out the previous two-and-a-half weeks so this is his first return to action. We're not sure yet if his dislocated elbow will keep him out another week or if this will be his return.
Depending on what happens in other games, it's possible the Chiefs have clinched a playoff spot by the time their game kicks off. I wonder if that would play a role into Andy Reid's decision to play certain guys or not.
The rest of the Chiefs players listed practiced in full and should be available for Sunday afternoon in Oakland.
