Joe Mays' injury "could be a while", according to Chiefs' Andy Reid

Kansas City Chiefs starting inside linebacker Joe Mays had surgery on his wrist following an injury in the Chiefs Week 2 preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. According to Andy Reid, this injury will keep Mays out for a while.

"I don't think it's a short period of time here fellas," Reid said on a Sunday conference call with reporters. "I don't know exactly how long it's going to be. He tore one of the tendons in there in his wrist so he had surgery to repair that. So that could be a while. I would put it in the same category or even a little longer as a broken bone. We've just got to see how that works out."

(Update: The Chiefs clarified it's a ligament injury in his wrist)

If Mays is going to be out for a long time, you have to wonder about the short term IR designation. The Chiefs can apply that on September 2.

Mays was a free agent signing who has regularly lined up with the first team this offseason. He plays the thumper role in the middle on the (ever decreasing) base defense. Josh Mauga and Nico Johnson are among the candidates to replace him during this time.