Former Bears OL Long finally might help Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs signed veteran offensive lineman Kyle Long after his yearlong retirement from the Bears with expectations that he would arrive in training camp and immediately compete for a starting job.
It took longer than either of them imagined.
The oft-injured Long fractured the tibial plateau in his knee during a workout in June, landing him on the physically unable-toperform list throughout camp and into the regular season. He was finally designated to return to practice Nov. 9, which began a three-week window for the Chiefs to decide whether they would add him to the active roster.
That occurred just before the deadline Tuesday, and Long was on the practice field Wednesday as the Chiefs (7-4) returned from their bye to begin preparing for the Broncos on Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
“He’s easing his way back,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We’ll just see. We’re taking it day by day. But he’s doing a heck of a job.”
The Chiefs created roster space by putting running back Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (knee) on injured reserve.
Long’s return comes at a good time for Kansas City.
Right tackle Mike Remmers remains on injured reserve after hurting his knee. His understudy, Lucas Niang, just returned to practice this week after injuring his ribs.
Andrew Wylie has filled in admirably in their place, but Long at some semblance of his best would be a significant upgrade.
“We’ll just see how Niang does and how he feels going forward,” Reid said of the second-year pro, who opted out of his rookie season. “He’ll get some work today, but Andrew has experience, too. If they’re good to go, then they go.”
Long, who turns 33 on Sunday, signed a $1.5 million contract for this season that includes up to $3.5 million in incentives, most of which he’s unlikely to reach because of the injury. But before it, Long said he’d done “everything in my power to get myself back to where I knew I could come in and play the level of football I know I can play.”