The Kansas City Chiefs' 26-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans was a nightmare, and the former's desultory play was only part of the story. Linebacker Derrick Johnson could be out for the season.
The team announced Johnson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, which should knock him out for the year.
It's hard to overstate this potential loss. Johnson is one of the very best inside linebackers in football, and he's the heart and soul of the Chiefs' defense. There just aren't many linebackers in football with his range, smarts and versatility.
It's also a position at which the Chiefs are very thin. Josh Mauga and James-Michael Johnson are other inside linebackers on the roster. Starting defensive end Mike DeVito also ruptured his Achilles tendon in the game.
This is a Chiefs team that needs its defense to dominate to make up for an offense that simply isn't explosive. Johnson's injury will be a difficult one from which to recover.
UPDATE: NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that an MRI confirmed that DeVito suffered a torn Achilles and, like Johnson, is out for the season.
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