Chiefs again missing a defensive starter at an injury-riddled position as practice begins for Week 7 vs. 49ers

The Kansas City Chiefs are without a defensive starter as practice begins ahead of the team's game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.

Chiefs again missing a defensive starter at an injury-riddled position as practice begins for Week 7 vs. 49ers

"Really, the only injured player who will not practice today is Mike Danna," Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday. "He's got a pec strain, so we'll just see how he does this week as we go forward."

Reid indicated on Monday that Danna was the only player dealing with a significant injury during the bye week and after the team's Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Danna has already missed one game this season, sitting out of Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a calf injury. The big concern with his absence is that the depth at the edge rusher position is already stretched thin in Kansas City. Charles Omenihu remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list and BJ Thompson remains on the Non-Football Illness list. If Danna is unable to play against the 49ers, look for Felix Anudike-Uzomah to get the start opposite George Karlaftis, with Malik Herring and Cameron Thomas also potentially seeing some action.

In other injury news, Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is back on the 53-man roster. He returns after spending the first four weeks of the 2024 NFL season on the Non-Football Illness list. Reid was non-commital on Edwards-Helaire's role moving forward and whether he'd return to full participation in practice on Wednesday.

"Yeah, we'll just see how that goes and how it all works," Reid said of Edwards-Helaire. "And we've got to look at everything on that so special teams, etc, etc. So just but he's good to go practice. He knows what he's doing. He's feeling great, which is the most important thing. So we'll see. We'll see how that goes."

Take a look at the first injury reports for each team down below. . .

First Chiefs Injury Report

KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Observations:

Clyde Edwards-Helaire turned in his first full practice since returning from the Non-Football Illness list. That's a good sign.
Mecole Hardman and Derrick Nnadi remain on the injury report, but are full participants as they deal with their respective ailments.