The Kansas City Chiefs appear to have another starter on track to return from injury for the Week 4 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Veteran defensive end Mike Danna (quad) logged a “full” practice on Thursday, September 25, according to the Chiefs‘ official injury report, which KSHB 41’s Nick Jacobs shared on X.
Danna had been “limited” on Wednesday, September 24, so this shift is another bit of positive news for KC after the latest on wide receiver Xavier Worthy.
Worthy (shoulder) put in a “full” practice session on Wednesday and Thursday, putting him on track to make a Week 4 return as well. That leaves veteran cornerback Kristian Fulton as the lone Chiefs player who was “limited” in practice on Thursday, putting his injury status in question against the Ravens.
There will be one final injury update on Friday, September 26. Assuming Danna and Worthy don’t take a step back in their respective recoveries, both should be able to suit up on Sunday.
Mike Danna Should Help Chiefs as They Prepare to Slow Down Ravens Superstars Lamar Jackson & Derrick Henry in Week 4
Danna’s availability is actually pretty crucial, considering the upcoming opponent has one of the better rushing attacks in football.
When it comes to the different Chiefs‘ roles on the defensive line, Danna is generally one of the early down starters. He doesn’t always light up the stat sheet with the flashy numbers, but he does do the dirty work fairly well.
Kansas City will need plenty of that going up against Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Facing a team like the Ravens, you need to have intelligent defensive ends who know how to contain the edges against the run. And you also need the strength and experience of a veteran who can hold up against Henry as he barrels through the KC front.
Danna is both of those things, and his presence will be invaluable should he suit up against Baltimore on Sunday.
George Karlaftis Is Coming Off a Huge Game in Week 3
Danna’s counterpart on the defensive front, former first-round pick George Karlaftis, is coming off a massive performance in Week 3.
A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Nick Roesch labeled Karlaftis the top Chiefs winner of the Sunday Night Football matchup in an article on September 22.
“Karlaftis was on fire against New York, recording 10 total tackles (three for loss), one sack, one pass defensed, and a whopping seven quarterback pressures,” Roesch reminded.
Continuing: “Per Pro Football Focus, he had a pass-rush win rate of 26.5 percent, good for a 90.4 grade in that department. Whether it was against the pass or the run, Karlaftis was in the Giants‘ backfield all night, and the Chiefs need that out of him consistently moving forward.
Roesch is certainly right about that last part. The Ravens are not the Giants, and their offensive front is known to be much stronger and more physical than most.
If the Chiefs are going to win this Week 4 battle, they’ll need to start by controlling the trenches. On the defensive side, Karlaftis and Danna will be a huge part of that task, along with superstar Chris Jones on the interior. Needless to say, the entire group will have to be up to the challenge if KC wants to come out victorious.
Chiefs Get More Good News on Injury Front Before Week 4: Report