The Kansas City Chiefs will kick off Chargers week without Justin Houston. The Chiefs star outside linebacker will not practice the Chiefs on Wednesday, an ominous sign for his availability on Sunday against the Chargers.
Houston didn’t practice at all last week. Andy Reid’s tone seemed to change midway through last week’s prep. After the Broncos game (Houston didn’t play), Reid didn’t know if Houston would be back this week ... or this year.
Dee Ford, Tamba Hali and Frank Zombo are the next men up at outside linebacker if Houston can’t go again. The Chiefs can win without Houston, who has only played in five games this season.
It’s certainly not ideal but the Chiefs can get by San Diego without him. But can they get by New England or Pittsburgh without him? That’s the longer term question here.