NFL PLAYER NEWS

Chiefs’ defense starting to come together

The Sports Xchange

August 29, 2016 at 4:18 pm.

The return of Eric Berry (29) to the Chiefs defense only boosts the unit's big-play ability. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The return of Eric Berry (29) to the Chiefs defense only boosts the unit’s big-play ability. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The start of the 2016 regular season is now less than two weeks away and key pieces of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense have started to return to the team after being gone since last January’s loss to New England in the AFC playoffs.

Outside linebacker Tamba Hali came back last week after missing the offseason, training camp and most of the preseason after having knee surgery. Safety Eric Berry returned to the team on Sunday, the first time he has been back in the team’s locker room since the postseason due to his contract.

That leaves just outside linebacker Justin Houston missing from the K.C. defense with the opener against San Diego on the horizon. Unlike Hali and Berry, who should be on the field against the Chargers, Houston continues to rehab a knee injury that required surgery during the 2015 season. His return remains in question.

In the first two preseason games, the Chiefs’ first defense was just so-so, especially against the run, allowing 110 rushing yards to Seattle and 139 to Los Angeles. But the Bears ran for just 59 yards on Saturday. Overall, Andy Reid’s No. 1 group allowed Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offensive starters 18 yards on 18 plays and just two first downs.

“I told the guys right before the game this is dress rehearsal for our first game,” said inside linebacker Derrick Johnson. “This is dress rehearsal and we want to make it look good. Today we made it look good.

“We came out with a lot of energy. We started fast and that was our whole motto for the day — starting fast. We hadn’t started as fast in the last two games.”

That was done without Hali and Berry, and it’s unlikely that either one will play in the final preseason game against Green Bay on Thursday in Kansas City (8 p.m. ET). And, without Houston, there remains uncertainty hovering over the K.C. defense.

But there was hopeful news on other fronts for the defense. Cornerback Phillip Gaines returned to play for the first time in the preseason. Gaines is coming off a torn ACL and although he only played 11 snaps, he raises the level of competition at right cornerback.

“It’s not just the injury; you’ve got to get back out there, see things in football speed and then, we want your body to go where your mind is telling it to go as quick as it can,” said defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. “I think that’s starting to come back for him.”

But general manager John Dorsey obviously thought his secondary needed more talent when he made a deal with San Francisco for cornerback Kenneth Acker. The addition cost the Chiefs a seventh-round choice in the 2018 NFL Draft. Just how Acker will fit into the picture at cornerback remains to be seen.

The defense also has a question mark at the inside linebacker spot next to Johnson. Over the last two seasons, that spot has been handled by Josh Mauga. But he’s missed the last month with a groin injury, and that has given Ramik Wilson and Justin March opportunities with the No. 1 defense.

There has been a nice addition to the mix with the play of the Chiefs’ first draft choice in 2016, defensive lineman Chris Jones. The 6-6, 310-pounder out of Mississippi State has made good use out of his long arms (34 1/2 inches) and big hands (10 3/4 inches) with quickness. He is playing most of the time on the other side of the line of scrimmage. No question he will be part of the line rotation with Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard.

“We continue to come out and do a lot of good things,” said Poe. “I feel like we can be the best we’ve ever been since I’ve been here (fifth season.) I feel like if we keep pushing we’ll be right where we want to be.”

–Other than missing three weeks in a dorm room and the bumps and bruises of training camp practices, safety Eric Berry gained nothing from staying away from the Chiefs until Sunday. When he and the team were unable to reach a long-term deal before the NFL deadline on July 15, Berry was locked into the franchise player tag of $10.8 million for the season.

While his teammates slept on lumpy beds and broiled in the Missouri summer heat, Berry was putting in his own workouts. He reported back to the Chiefs in good physical condition, but not quite in shape to play in games.

“We’ve got to get him going and get him into football shape now,” said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. “He’s in great shape, but just get him into football shape.”

Berry will not play in Thursday’s preseason finale for the Chiefs against Green Bay.

“We’ll likely just give him time within practice to get himself ready for the opener,” said Reid.

A smiling Berry indicated he’ll be ready and prepared for the season opener on September 11 against San Diego.

“The only thing is just getting used to so many bodies flying around, NFL bodies,” Berry said. “You try to fill it in with high school players and other people that are around training, but it’s different when you have 11 guys on the field that know what they’re doing and know where to be. Things tend to move a little faster so just getting that rust knocked off and adjusting quickly.”

–Recently acquired cornerback Kenneth Acker took part in his first Kansas City practice on Monday. Acker was traded on Saturday from San Francisco to the Chiefs in exchange for a seventh-round choice in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has two weeks to figure out what’s going on with the Chiefs defense.

“You’ve got to get acclimated pretty fast,” said Acker. “I’m just taking it day by day. Today I got into my playbook and was able to meet some of my other position coaches, so it’s going pretty good.”

Acker allowed that he knew nothing about Kansas City. “But I know this is a pretty good team,” he said. “I feel like I bring a lot to offer. I’m just trying to figure out where I can fit best and trying to get acclimated as best as I can.”

As little as Acker knew about the Chiefs, defensive coordinator Bob Sutton admitting he knew nothing about the newest member of his secondary.

“I don’t know that much about him,” Sutton said.

Asked if he’d gotten a scouting report on Acker and his skill set, Sutton replied: “No. I really trust my eyes.”