Chiefs notebook: Moves made at defensive end
Team adds defender to replace defender
As expected, the Chiefs added a defensive end Wednesday after losing yet another player for the season.
Kansas City moved rookie end Brian Johnston to injured reserve after he injured his calf in Sunday’s loss at San Diego. Johnston said Sunday he thought he’d pulled the calf, but Chiefs coach Herm Edwards indicated Wednesday that the injury was more severe.
The team signed end Jason Babin to replace Johnston, and Edwards said Babin will play Sunday against New Orleans. Babin, 28, said he was given no illusions of an easy transition before signing a one-year contract.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Babin, a 6-foot-3, 260-pounder. “They said, ‘Look, you better learn it because you’ll be playing Sunday.’ ”
Johnston is the fifth Chiefs player to be placed on reserve, although he’s the first defender to suffer a season-ending injury. For now, Kansas City won’t have to place end Turk McBride on IR. He has an injured shoulder the Chiefs thought might end McBride’s season, but he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
End Tamba Hali has an injured knee and didn’t practice. He’s questionable for Sunday.
Babin has 13 career sacks in parts of five seasons since Houston made him its first-round pick in 2004. Seattle released him Sept. 17. Edwards said whether it’s enough time or isn’t, Babin will have three days to get ready for the Saints.
“He’ll be up. He’s got a number, name on the back of his jersey,” Edwards said. “We’re equal-opportunity employers. We let guys who are healthy play. He’s healthy, so he’ll play.”
Takeaways don’t equal wins in this instance
The Chiefs are plus-9 in the giveaway-takeaway margin, behind only AFC leader and undefeated Tennessee. The problem is, Kansas City isn’t turning those opportunities into wins.
The team has 20 takeaways, and Edwards said each one results in an average of 3.8 points for NFL teams. Instead, the Chiefs are getting about 1.6 points per takeaway, and it hasn’t pushed them to more than their one victory this season.
“Not very good,” Edwards said. “You would hope you could score a touchdown or a field goal when you take the ball away. We haven’t done that.”
The Chiefs’ margin is better than that of their previous three opponents, all of whom won against Kansas City.
Injury report
Cornerback Brandon Flowers and linebackers Pat Thomas and Derrick Johnston have hamstring injuries and didn’t practice Wednesday. Right guard Adrian Jones (knee) also sat out practice.
Free safety Jarrad Page (groin) and cornerback Patrick Surtain (thigh) were limited.