DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs right tackle Jeff Allen had surgery Friday on his right elbow and will miss the rest of the season, the latest blow to a team already ravaged by injuries and suspensions.
Allen hurt his elbow after starting last Sunday’s season-opening loss to Tennessee. In the same game, Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson and starting defensive tackle Mike DeVito ruptured their right Achilles tendons, ending their seasons.
“Listen, things happen in this business and you know that,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after Friday’s workout. “The next guy steps in and they do their job and they do it to the best of their ability and that’s what you ask of them.”
Ryan Harris is expected to start at right tackle when the Chiefs visit Denver on Sunday.
Allen was placed on injured reserve, opening a spot on the roster. The Chiefs filled it by signing cornerback Jamell Fleming off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.
Allen was supposed to be the starting left guard, but he moved to right tackle when Donald Stephenson was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
His loss leaves the Chiefs perilously thin along the offensive line.
Left tackle Eric Fisher, who has an extensive history of injuries in just over a year, and Harris are the only true tackles on the roster. Jeff Linkenbach and rookie Laurent Duvernay-Tardif could play the position, but both are considered better at guard.
The Chiefs already plugged one hole just before the start of the season by signing veteran Mike McGlynn. He started at left guard in the opener against the Titans.
Sixth-round draft pick Zach Fulton has become the starting right guard.
“It’s just going to become a cohesive group as we go,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “We saw it last year from the beginning of the season to the end of the season, kind of in that same situation right now. The more time they spend together, even with Ryan Harris now having to play a little bit, he’s another one with more reps they will get better.”
Along with losing three starters in the opener, the Chiefs lost starting linebacker Joe Mays to wrist surgery prior to the season. He’s been placed on IR with the designation to return.
Backup safety Sanders Commings and wide receiver Kyle Williams are also on injured reserve.
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