Chiefs receiver A.J. Jenkins suffers shoulder injury, misses practice

The Chiefs have taken another hit at an already thin position.

Starting receiver A.J. Jenkins did not practice Thursday after injuring his shoulder in Wednesday's practice.

Meanwhile, the man Jenkins replaced in the starting lineup — receiver Donnie Avery, who has missed the last five games while recovering from core muscle surgery — was limited for the second straight day.

If Jenkins and Avery can't play Sunday against Seattle, offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said Frankie Hammond Jr. would be the next man up. Pederson said rookie Albert Wilson could also figure into the mix.

“Our thought process, our mentality, the way we’ve gone about our business all year (is) that we’re going to play everybody,” Pederson said.

Jenkins, a third-year pro, has been targeted 15 times and caught five passes for 77 yards and zero touchdowns in five starts since Avery's injury.

Before he got hurt in week four against New England, Avery was targeted 23 times and caught 14 passes for 156 yards and zero touchdowns.

No switch for Stephenson, Kush

The Chiefs beat the Bills 17-13 on Sunday, but the offensive line certainly had its share of issues.

Quarterback Alex Smith was often forced to run for his life, as he was sacked six times and hit 10 times.

The Chiefs do have some options in reserve. Third-year pro Donald Stephenson — a part-time starter last season — was projected to start at right tackle before the season, but hasn't returned to meaningful action since serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy against performance enhancing drugs. Meanwhile, second-year center Eric Kush was a sixth-round pick by the team in 2013.

Pederson, however, said that for now, there are no plans to work either into the mix anywhere along the line.

“)We're) just kind of keeping them in their spots right now,” Pederson said. “Kush is still growing as a center and he’s a fine center (so we're) still keeping them right there in their spot.”

Wilson impresses Toub

Albert Wilson caught the eye of Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub during the Chiefs' win over Buffalo.

Following the injury to special teams ace Cyrus Gray, Toub inserted Wilson as punter Dustin Colquitt's personal protector on punts. On his first play in the role, Toub said Wilson made the correct calls at the line and hustled all the way downfield to make the tackle on Bills punt returner Leodis McKelvin. Fullback Anthony Sherman soon forced a game-changing fumble, which the Chiefs recovered.

“He makes the right call up front, he makes the right block, gets out, and goes down and makes the tackle,” Toub said. “I mean, that was impressive.”

Especially since Wilson had not taken any practice reps there since training camp.

“Yeah, it says something about him, it says a lot about him as far as being a football instinct guy and being able to step up,” Toub said. “It wasn’t too big for him as a rookie. You never know until you put him in there. We had to put him in and he rose to the challenge.”

Injury report

Tight end Anthony Fasano (knee) and cornerback Jamell Fleming (hamstring) did not practice on Thursday.

Linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) was limited for the second straight day.

Cornerback Chris Owens (knee) did not practice. He was limited Wednesday.

Cornerback Phillip Gaines was limited in practice. He was a full participant Wednesday.