Chiefs’ Bob Sutton said safety Jordan Lucas wasn’t benched against Broncos

Kansas City Chiefs safety Jordan Lucas has become somewhat of a favorite around Arrowhead Pride. Our lead film and draft analyst Kent Swanson and the rest of the Arrowhead Pride Nerd Squad have even nicknamed the hype train for Lucas, calling it the “Lucas Locomotive.”

The Chiefs acquired Lucas in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in late August.

That is why last Sunday against the Denver Broncos, they weren’t exactly pleased when Lucas started the game but seemed to receive less and less playing time as it went on. Our second watch showed that Lucas didn’t play in the fourth quarter.

Here was the final breakdown for safeties, as originally posted in our snap count article:

Ron Parker (73 snaps) - 100 percent

Eric Murray (52 snaps) - 71 percent

Jordan Lucas (24 snaps) - 33 percent

24 snaps for 33 percent seemed low for Lucas, who received 48 snaps for 84 percent the week prior against the Bengals. But Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton explained this week there was nothing to Lucas’ playing time tapering off in the game.

“Not really, some were personnel groups where we did things,” Sutton said. “Then, of course, Jordan (Lucas) is also one of our dime linebackers so sometimes he gets in that group as well. But nothing significant I don’t think there.”

The dip in playing time for Lucas could also have to do with Murray feeling closer to 100 percent after dealing with an ankle injury the past couple of weeks. Prior to the injury, Murray had been the starter, alongside Parker.

It appears the Chiefs may still feel their best opportunity to win is by starting Parker and Murray in the base look. We’ll see if that trend continues this weekend against the Cleveland Browns.