49ers defeated by Chiefs

Sherman, San Francisco defense limp away wounded by Kansas City

KANSAS CITY – Richard Sherman walked out of the 49ers locker room in an orthopedic boot, doing so after a left-calf injury flared up and forced him out of Sunday’s 38-27 loss by halftime.

That was one of many sad sights among the 49ers defense against the high-scoring Chiefs.

Sherman will undergo an MRI on Monday on his lower leg, in which he had bone spurs removed this past winter; it was a torn right Achilles last November that ended his season and Seattle Seahawks tenure.

Sherman was part of a defensive-wide meltdown Sunday, exiting only after the Chiefs’ fourth touchdown drive in four series. Kansas City also scored a touchdown on its fifth series before hafltime to take a 35-7 lead at one point.

As potent as the Chiefs’ offense is, the 49ers (1-2) figured to have a stronger defense, at least based on Reuben Foster’s return from suspension and fellow linebacker Malcolm Smith’s long-delayed 49ers debut.

“We just come out really slow, communication wise and didn’t get set up in the right spots,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “All the credit to them – they outplayed us, for sure. But we hurt ourselves in a lot of areas, especially penalties and not getting lined up.”

So how did the 49ers limit the Chiefs to only a field goal after halftime?

“We were just slowing the game up, playing our game, just