Chiefs’ Lucas Niang practices Wednesday, a first step on potential return from PUP list
The Chiefs could soon have another player available on the offensive line.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday that tackle Lucas Niang will officially return to practice.
Reid’s announcement opens a 21-day window in which the Chiefs must decide whether to activate him from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list or leave him on it.
And the Chiefs plan on getting a good look at Niang, who started nine games at right tackle in 2021.
“Niang worked hard,” Reid said. “We’ll see how he does.”
The Chiefs have relied on Andrew Wylie at right tackle through the first seven games of the season.
While Niang returns to practice, tight end Blake Bell remains on injured reserve as he continues to recover from an Aug. 23 hip surgery.
“Blake is close,” Reid said. “We’ll just see how he does here in the next week or two.”
Reid said that tight end Jody Fortson (quad) was the only player not practicing Wednesday. That means defensive end Mike Danna, who didn’t play in Week 7 with a calf injury, was expected to practice in some capacity.
Reid also said cornerback Trent McDuffie, who officially returned Wednesday from injury reserve, would be on the practice field.
The Chiefs later designated Danna, McDuffie (hamstring), wide receiver Mecole Hardman (heel), running back Jerick McKinnon (shoulder) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (Achilles) as full participants.
Linebacker WIllie Gay Jr. (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday’s practice.
This story was originally published November 2, 2022 at 1:03 PM.
