Kendrick

Lewis

Lewis suffered the injury in the season finale and played through it the rest of the game. There’s no timetable yet for a recovery. Pro Football Focus graded Lewis as average across the board on 987 snaps in 2011.

Lewis went down late in the first half, and was absent for Kansas City’s first defensive series of the second. Despite the questionable designation, his afternoon is likely through. The Chiefs’ best safety, a prolonged absence for Lewis would be bad news for a defense that’s been playing inspired football the past few weeks.

It was originally reported that Lewis had undergone shoulder surgery. “Whenever the trainers say it’s cool for me,” Lewis said when asked when he might return. “I’m just playing it by ear. ... Everything is going smooth, according to plan.” Per beat writer Adam Teicher, Lewis is getting around well at OTAs, and it “doesn’t appear that his absence will be a prolonged one.” With Eric Berry (ACL surgery) and fifth-round rookie De’Quan Menzie (hamstring) also sidelined, CB Travis Daniels and undrafted rookie Terrance Parks are running as the Chiefs’ first-team safeties. It’s notable that Donald Washington is not.

It’s the same shoulder/pectoral area that required Lewis to undergo January surgery, and his arm was in a sling after the game. “It’s a different injury,” Crennel assured. “He has to have no surgery or anything like that, but he has to rest that shoulder and immobilize it a little bit before we can start movement.”

Lewis still has to get the green light from coach Romeo Crennel, but he expects to start at Tampa. Although fill-in Abram Elam may be better in run support, he doesn’t have Lewis’ range in coverage.

The Chiefs never announced an injury in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, but Lewis played just 38-of-64 snaps. He missed Kansas City’s first five games of the season with a shoulder issue. Abram Elam would be returned to the starting lineup if Lewis misses time.

A year after starting all 16 games, Lewis battled a right shoulder injury to start the 2012 season, causing him to miss seven contests. Lewis was never really the same player we saw his first two seasons. He’s entering the final year of his contract.

Lewis, 26 in June, struggled against both the run and pass last season and has just one interception and zero forced fumbles the past two years. He was disruptive early in his career, but injuries have played a part in slowing Lewis down. Lewis might have to settle for a one-year deal to rehab his value.

Lorenzo Taliaferro was activated from the PUP to take Lewis’ spot on the roster. Lewis suffered a thigh injury which was apparently significant in Thursday’s practice. A reserve who has played just 17 defensive snaps this season, Lewis should stick on IR the rest of the season.

They also cut CB Shareece Wright. Combined, those moves will save Baltimore $4.9 million in cap space. Lewis played just 17 snaps last year before landing on injured reserve with a thigh injury. The seven-year veteran turns 29 in June.