Chiefs’ injury report getting smaller with probable return of Sorensen, Houston

Reinforcements appear to be on the way for the Chiefs’ defense.

Safety Daniel Sorensen and outside linebacker Justin Houston likely will see snaps on Sunday for the Chiefs against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium.

For Sorensen, the action will be his first of the season. He suffered a left tibial plateau fracture during the preseason. He returned to the active roster this week and has been practicing for two weeks.

“Does he play every play? Probably not,” coach Andy Reid said. “You just see how he feels. We’ll do the same thing with Justin and we’ll roll from there.”

Houston has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury.

Rookie Breeland Speaks stepped into the starting role for Houston at outside linebacker and has steadily improved over the past month.

“It’s been very valuable,” Speaks said of his increased playing time. “I got a chance to show what I got, and able to show what I know what’s going on. I felt like I made a few strides in those games. We’ll just see how it goes.”

Speaks has recorded 1½ sacks and has added a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries since his playing time increased.

The only players who didn’t practice on Friday were safety Eric Berry and center Mitch Morse. Others who missed practice during the week, including guard Cam Erving (illness), linebacker Anthony Hitchens (rib) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot), worked out on a limited basis on Friday.

Sorensen, Houston, Erving, Hitchens and Watkins are listed as questionable for Sunday along with outside linebacker Frank Zombo. Berry is listed as doubtful and Morse out.

Last week, Hitchens played through a rib injury suffered in the previous game against the Broncos. Hitchens was doubled over as he was leaving the field. But he played 57 defensive snaps against the Browns and said he’s improving.

“It’s going to get better every day,” Hitchens said. “It feels better this Friday than it did last Friday. … It’s one of those injuries that’s there and you have to work around it.”

Blair Kerkhoff

Blair Kerkhoff covers the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and college sports for The Star.

This story was originally published November 9, 2018 at 3:25 PM.