Chiefs' Joe Mays and Chris Owens will play Sunday vs. Bills

Two players who have missed a fairly significant portion of time are poised to return to the lineup Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

The Chiefs have made cornerback Chris Owens (knee) and linebacker Joe Mays (wrist) active for the game, though it's unclear how much each will play.

Owens has missed the last three games with a knee injury, while Mays has been out all season since undergoing preseason wrist surgery.

Cornerback Phillip Gaines will also play Sunday. Gaines (ankle/quadriceps) was a full participant in practice this week, but was listed as questionable on the injury report, which meant he had a 50-50 chance of playing, per the NFL.

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) was a limited participant in Friday’s practice but will play.

The Chiefs' inactive players are quarterback Aaron Murray, receiver Donnie Avery, safety Daniel Sorensen, cornerback Jamell Fleming, center Eric Kush, guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and linebacker Josh Martin.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced Friday that Avery (groin) and Fleming (hamstring) would not play against the Bills. This marks the fifth straight game Avery has missed since undergoing core muscle surgery, and the second straight game Fleming will miss.

The Bills have two significant players who will suit up despite groin injuries. Receiver Sammy Watkins and running back Fred Jackson were both listed as questionable for Friday's injury report, but both will play.

The Bills' other other inactives are receiver Mike Williams, safety Jerome Couplin III, cornerback Ron Brooks, running back Phillip Tanner, linebacker Randell Johnson, guard Cyril Richardson and receiver Marcus Easley.

This Week in Chiefs Football

Here's your weekly rundown of The Star's football stories leading up to the game. This week's John Facenda memorial background music is David Robidoux's “What It Means.”

*Sam Mellinger explains what Justin Houston means when he calls his sacks a group effort.

*Your Chiefs-Bills scouting report, with a few video links.

*It took some tinkering, but the Chiefs’ offensive line is looking better and better, writes Randy Covitz.

*Rugby-style kicking helps Dustin Colquitt take punting to another level, writes Randy Covitz.

*Linebacker Dee Ford is trying to make the most of his time on special teams.

*This year, cornerback Sean Smith walks the talk.

*A film room look at Eric Fisher's first clean sheet of 2014.

*The Chiefs’ decision to move home game to London hurts fans in Kansas City, writes Sam Mellinger.

*The Chiefs plan to have returners Knile Davis, De’Anthony Thomas share duties this week, writes Randy Covitz.

*At midway point, the Chiefs flash intriguing parallels to Royals, writes Vahe Gregorian.

*The Chiefs and Anthony Sherman have agreed to a three-year contract extension.

This story was originally published November 9, 2014 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Chiefs' Joe Mays and Chris Owens will play Sunday vs. Bills."