Arrowheadlines: Kansas City Chiefs News 9/13

9/12 Practice Recap: Allen Undergoes Elbow Surgery from The Mothership

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid announced that right tackle Jeff Allen underwent surgery on his bicep tendon on Friday, ruling him out for the game against the Denver Broncos and likely sending him to the Injured Reserved list.

"He'll most likely be out for the season," Reid said of the third-year offensive lineman. "He is not listed as out for the season yet. He is out for this game though."

Chiefs Sign CB Jamell Fleming, place G Jeff Allen on IR from The Mothership

The Kansas City Chiefs have placed offensive lineman Jeff Allen on the Injured Reserve list.

Game Preview: Chiefs vs. Broncos from The Mothership

Despite losing offensive lineman Jeff Allen, defensive lineman Mike DeVito and linebacker Derrick Johnson in the game against the Tennessee Titans last week, as an organization, the Kansas City Chiefs have moved on.

"We look forward to playing the Denver Broncos," head coach Andy Reid said after practice on Friday. "Things happen in this business and you know that. The next guy steps in and they do their job and they do it to the best of their ability and that's what you ask of them."

Chiefs vs. Broncos: Five Things to Watch from The Mothership

Pederson knows the Broncos made a conscious effort to improve their defense from last season by picking up some key free agents over the offseason.

"They went out and got some top free agents and it's really improved their defense," Pederson said. "In that Colts game last weekend, they were flying around and making plays. They don't do a ton of stuff on defense which allows them to play fast.

"I think the fact that they can rush the passer-DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller coming off the edge-I mean those are two top-notch NFL pass rushers so we got our work cut out for us."

But it's about getting Charles and the running game going that will open up the offense against the Broncos, something they didn't do last week against the Titans.

Game Day Info: Chiefs vs. Broncos from The Mothership

Game Date/Time
Sunday, September 14, 2014 at 3:25 p.m. CT on CBS

Location

Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium

Forecast

Mostly Sunny
High: 83°
Low: 52°

Record Donation on Red Friday from The Mothership

The Chiefs and the Kansas City community celebrated the 23rd edition of Red Friday on Friday, Sept. 5, by raising more than $100,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. The total amount raised marks a single-day record for Red Friday fundraising.

"We are grateful to the Kansas City Chiefs and our McDonald's family for their immense support," Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City CEO Holly Buckendahl said. "This gift will allow us to keep sick children and their families together during times of medical crisis and help us serve 87 families with the opening of a third Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City."

KCChiefs.com Video: Press Conference 9/12: Andy Reid

KCChiefs.com Video: Arrowhead Update: 9/12

KCChiefs.com Video: Tailgate time: DEN vs. KC

KCChiefs.com Video: Under The Helmet: Eric Berry

Chiefs place guard/tackle Jeff Allen on injured reserve from Chiefs Spin

Meanwhile, Allen moved from left guard to right tackle in place of Donald Stephenson, who is currently serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances.

The Chiefs will now turn to seventh-year pro Ryan Harris in Allen's place for the Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos, and likely until Stephenson returns.

"He had a good camp," Reid said of Harris. "He's got a little experience. Put him in, you let him go, he understands the offense and he's a tough kid, smart, and you let him play."

Chiefs starting RT Allen headed to IR from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City

His loss leaves the Chiefs perilously thin along the offensive line.

Left tackle Eric Fisher, who has an extensive history of injuries in just over a year, and Harris are the only true tackles on the roster. Jeff Linkenbach and rookie Laurent Duvernay-Tardif could play the position, but both are considered better at guard.

The Chiefs already plugged one hole just before the start of the season by signing veteran Mike McGlynn. He started at left guard in the opener against the Titans.

Sixth-round draft pick Zach Fulton has become the starting right guard.

Chiefs' bad luck with injuries continues from ESPN

Also, rookie running back De'Anthony Thomas has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Broncos in Denver because of an injured hamstring.

Week 2: Friday injury report from Chiefs Spin

OUT: RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas (hamstring)

PROBABLE: FS Husain Abdullah (quad), SS Eric Berry (quad), WR Dwayne Bowe (quad), CB Marcus Cooper (ankle), OLB Tamba Hali (ankle, knee), WR Frankie Hammond Jr. (shoulder), WR Junior Hemingway (hip), C Eric Kush (shoulder), OLB Josh Martin (quad) and WR Albert Wilson (ankle)

Chiefs lost a lot when they lost Johnson from ESPN

Numbers aren't the best way to measure the impact Derrick Johnson had on the Kansas City Chiefs' defense or the problem they will have in replacing him for the rest of the season. Johnson, an inside linebacker, ruptured his Achilles tendon in last week's opener and after having surgery is out for the season.

Johnson's gift is his down to down presence. He was as consistent a player as any coach could ask for against both the run and the pass. Johnson was one of the NFL's best players at his position, and if he had caught more of the game-changing interceptions that he's dropped -- Johnson's hands are legendary bad -- more people would know about his skills.

Chiefs sign CB Jamell Fleming from Chiefs Spin

The 5-11, 206-pound Fleming originally entered the league in 2012 out of Oklahoma as a third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. He spent the 2013 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Ravens signed Fleming to its practice squad on Sept. 3.

Broncos vs. Chiefs preview from ESPN

Legwold: Adam, every training camp for every team ends with such high hopes and plenty of optimism. What is the Chiefs' mindset after such a tough opening week?

Teicher: There's not a lot for the Chiefs to be optimistic about right now. Since their 9-0 start last season they've gone 2-7, including their collapse in the playoffs against Indianapolis. Their offensive line is in tatters, quarterback Alex Smith is throwing interceptions in uncharacteristically high numbers, running back Jamaal Charles didn't get the ball much against Tennessee, some of their best young players aren't contributing much, they lost two of their best defensive players for the season with injuries last week and their defense got pushed around by Jake Locker and the Titans. Then there's the upcoming schedule, which has the Chiefs playing road games against the Broncos, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers and a home game against the New England Patriots in the next five weeks. Otherwise, all is good with the Chiefs.

Week 2 Preview: Chiefs @ Broncos from Chiefs Spin

The key for the Chiefs putting up a competitive and respectable effort against the Broncos will be their ability to convert third downs...

...If the Chiefs can control the clock and finish early drives with touchdowns they have a chance. But that could be a tall order given the ineffectiveness of their offense and the patchwork offensive line.

Meanwhile, Manning could have his way with a defense that will have its field general Derrick Johnson recovering from Achilles surgery...

...The Chiefs best defense may be their offense's ability to keep Manning & Co. off the field.

Outcome: Broncos 35, Chiefs 17.

Breaking down the Chiefs offense from DenverBroncos.com

Even before the Chiefs' Week 1 game against the Tennessee Titans got out of hand in the second half, running back Jamaal Charles was not seeing the ball...

...Charles finished with seven carries and 11 touches, his lowest totals since Oct. 28, 2012. Since then, he had averaged 21.25 touches for 124.96 yards per game -- and 5.88 yards every time he touched the football.

"When you have probably the best player on your team, probably -- if not the best running back in the league -- when you see him only get seven (carries), it puts up a lot of red flags," said Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton.

Those red flags are in both locker rooms.

Breaking down the Chiefs defense from DenverBroncos.com

Derrick Johnson's absence will not change much about how the Broncos attack the Chiefs, noted Broncos running back Montee Ball.

"Well, our scheme is the same," the second-year running back said. "We have a great gameplan that we're most definitely going to execute."

There is reason to believe the Chiefs' run defense can recover, and it lies in Poe, arguably the game's best 3-4 nose tackle. A remarkably conditioned athlete for his size (6-foot-3 and 346 pounds), Poe is quick off the snap, draws double teams and allows the inside linebackers to focus on filling gaps rather than dealing with traffic from the interior offensive linemen. For the same reason that Denver's linebackers can make plays with Terrance Knighton in front of them, Kansas City's back-end run defenders are free to attack.

Broncos defense feels better, expects more from ESPN

In a business in which most anything can be considered some kind of competitive edge, signs posted outside the visitors' locker room at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, in enormous lettering, remind teams the stadium indeed sits a mile above sea level.

There's even a helpful list outlining the symptoms of altitude sickness.

All to serve as reminders to opposing players and coaches of the thin air and the difference between playing in Denver and any other stadium in the NFL.

But in these days of limited preseason playing time for the starters, even the Broncos are reminded once the regular season arrives.

Chiefs K Cairo Santos looks forward to testing thin air in Denver from Chiefs Spin

"We'll have to see what the wind is doing," Santos said. "But I think if you have the wind - I've heard guys hitting 70 yarders (pregame) - so I'd like to try that at least."

Well, perhaps 70 yards is unrealistic in a game situation. What's a more realistic scenario?

"I'm thinking 65," he said without hesitation.

Prediction: Broncos will beat Chiefs from ESPN

The Chiefs will have to either slow Manning or outscore him.

Judging from last week's game against Tennessee, they are in no shape to do either.

My prediction: Broncos 37, Chiefs 20.

Prediction: Broncos defeat Chiefs from ESPN

The Chiefs are battling some injuries, including season-enders to linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive tackle Mike DeVito, so it all projects to a big afternoon for the Broncos.

My prediction: Broncos 41, Chiefs 17.

NFLPA approves new drug policy, sets up Wes Welker for possible Sunday return from The Denver Post

The decision sets up the possibility that Denver Broncos slot receiver Wes Welker will return to the field as soon as Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Welker will not be cleared to play until the NFL signs off on the agreement, too, which is expected on Saturday...

...But even if he can play, he may be among the inactives. He has missed considerable practice time since he was suspended for four games because of testing positive during the offseason for amphetamines. Welker had been cleared to play several weeks ago by an independent doctor.

Priciest NFL Tickets Of Week 2 from National Post

The Broncos will host the third most expensive game of the week against a division rival at Sports Authority Field on Sunday. The average secondary price for Broncos vs Kansas Chiefs tickets is $256.17. Like 49ers, the Broncos will see a relatively high secondary ticket average in comparison with the league but Sunday's game is 25% below the season average of $339.71 for Broncos tickets.

Looking for new Pro Bowlers in 2014? Here are 32 candidates from USA Today

C Rodney Hudson, Kansas City Chiefs: He settled in as the starting pivot last year and now must anchor an offensive line that lost three starters to free agency and another (RT Donald Stephenson) to a four-game suspension to start 2014.

Fantasy Football 2014: Week 2 Starts and Sits from The Denver Post

SIT..

...Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs - Despite throwing for more than 200 yards and a touchdown, Alex Smith had three interceptions against the Titans in week one. Things won't be better when Smith and the Chiefs come to Denver. Don't let the 354 passing yards the Broncos gave up in week one fool you, because this is a much improved defense, - especially on the pass rush - and star-quarterback-in-the-making Andrew Luck was behind those yards. Smith isn't in the same class as Luck and it will show on Sunday.

Weekly lineup winners for Week 2 from CBS Sports

Two runners with gorgeous matchups are Arian Foster at Oakland and Montee Ball vs. Kansas City and they have big-game potential. The price tag for them is a lot ($8,300 for Foster, $8,100 for Ball) but I'm willing to pay it because I don't think they'll be started by a ton of people and even if they are they'll have a chance to shoot the rest of my lineup into contention for a prize.

Tackling for Kickers Is a Tough Task from The Associated Press via ABC News

Chiefs kicker Cairo Santos was on a high school team in Florida with only 19 players, though, so he had to play some on defense. Some guys, like Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski, are big enough to deliver jarring hits. Indianapolis kickoff man Pat McAfee pancaked Denver's Trindon Holliday during a game last season.