Joe Mays' wrist injury lands him on short-term IR for Kansas City Chiefs

As expected, the Kansas City Chiefs have used the short-term injured reserve designation on linebacker Joe Mays, who recently had wrist surgery and is expected him out "for a while", according to Chiefs coach Andy Reid. This is the first day the Chiefs were allowed to use the designation on him.

The short-term IR rules are new as of 2012. As long as the player is on the preseason roster (Mays was), a team can place him on IR with a designation to return. The player can return to practice after six weeks and can be activated to the roster after eight weeks, which means Mays it out for at least half the season.

The Chiefs can only use this designation once per year. Last year, that player was Sanders Commings.

One report last week stated it would be "at least six weeks" for Mays' return. Andy Reid said, "I don't think it's a short period of time, fellas."

It look like the Chiefs will be playing Josh Mauga in Mays' spot. Frank Zombo, normally an outside linebacker, is another option. 2013 fourth round pick Nico Johnson was placed on the practice squad. The Chiefs will be carrying only three inside linebackers (Mauga, Derrick Johnson, James Michael-Johnson). It wouldn't shock me to see them looking for a little more help there.

This move frees up a roster spot, which the Chiefs used on free agent safety Kurt Coleman.