Chiefs injury update: Concerns about tackle situation continue

The Kansas City Chiefs completed their second practice of the week on Wednesday ahead of their wild-card weekend matchup with the Miami Dolphins. 

Chiefs PR head Ted Crews gave an update ahead of practice and confirmed that LT Wanya Morris would be the only player to miss practice. It was his second consecutive missed practice as he remains in the NFL's concussion protocol. 

What must Morris do to clear the concussion protocol in time for the game on Saturday night?

Phases of the NFL's concussion protocol:

There are five steps that Morris must complete as part of the NFL’s return-to-participation protocols to play against the Dolphins.

Phase 1: Symptom Limited Activity.

This phase is a heavy dose of prescribed rest. Players are told to avoid any activities (physical or cognitive) that could lead to a return of concussion symptoms. You're limited to things like stretching, balance work, and very light aerobic exercises at the discretion of the club’s medical and training staff. If there are no new or increasing concussion symptoms during this phase, he'll be allowed to move on to the next one.

Phase 2: Aerobic Exercise.

This phase includes the introduction of a “graduated cardiovascular exercise program.” The training and medical staff will add things like running on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike to his regiment. If Morris doesn’t develop any new or worsening concussion symptoms, he’ll be permitted to advance to the next phase.

Phase 3: Football Specific Exercise.

During this phase, Morris will be allowed to partake in supervised strength training and football-specific exercises with the rest of the team. He can only do so in 30-minute intervals or less. Players who reach this phase often turn in limited participation status during practice. We know that Morris isn't quite there yet. 

Phase 4: Club-Based Non-Contact Training Drills.

All non-contact football work is permitted during this phase. He can begin sled work, footwork drills, and so on. If he can get through this portion without any new or worsening symptoms AND get cleared on his neurocognitive testing to see that he has returned to baseline, he'll be ready for the final phase.

Phase 5: Full Football Activity/Clearance.

If Morris can make it through team meetings, conditioning, and non-contact practice without recurring or worsening symptoms, he'll be reading for the final neurocognitive testing and clearance for all football activities. 

The latest injury report from practice:

KEY: DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Observations:

• A second consecutive limited practice for Donovan Smith is a little concerning, but it shouldn't raise too much alarm just yet. He hasn't had a setback in his practice participation, which tells us that he's still tracking to play. 
• L'Jarius Sneed being upgraded to a full participant in practice is huge for Kansas City. He'll be a major part of defending a potent Dolphins passing attack. 

For more information on the Dolphins' injury situation, check here.