Report: Chiefs’ Kyle Long suffers injury that could keep him out of training camp

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Kyle Long has suffered a leg injury that may keep him out of training camp, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Initially thought to be a “fractured kneecap,” Pelissero later corrected himself — saying that it is a “lower leg injury.”

Long, 32, came out of a year’s retirement to sign a one-year deal with the Chiefs. He spent the first seven years of his playing career as a member of the Chicago Bears, but injuries cost him at least half the regular season in three of his last four years.

When healthy, Long spent most of his career at right guard, though he went to the Pro Bowl in 2015, when he spent the season as a right tackle.

He figured into the current Chiefs lineup somewhere along the right side — and most likely at right guard. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has been open in saying there would be a battle along the right side of the line. Reid specifically spoke about Long back on May 27.

“Long right now, you talk probably the most rust that you’d think, and he’s stepped in and done a nice job,” said Reid. “He’s playing the right guard spot right now, but we know he also could play tackle. He’s jumped in there right next to (Mike) Remmers and they’ve moved right along and done a nice job.”

Long won’t be able to win any position battle if he’s sidelined throughout training camp, so he figures as a backup option at right guard or tackle. The returning former starting right guard, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif figures as a new favorite at the position, with Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie also in the mix. Lucas Niang may also be an option there — if he does not beat out longtime veteran Mike Remmers at the tackle position.