The Kansas City Chiefs may have to find a replacement at linebacker for their Week 16 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Starting middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens was placed on the COVID-19 reserve on Tuesday. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Hitchens was designated a high-risk close contact. It opens up the possibility that Hitchens could return for the Sunday afternoon game at 12:00 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium. Hitchens would have to test negative for the next five days to be eligible to play.
The former 2014 Dallas Cowboys fourth-round pick from Iowa has tallied 78 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and a pass breakup in his 14 games this season, all of which he has started.
Hitchens played 33 snaps against the New Orleans Saints in the 32-29 win in Week 15. The 28-year-old collected three combined tackles in the win.
If Hitchens is unable to go, Ben Niemann could replace him. The former 2018 undrafted free agent from Iowa has collected 41 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, 1.0 sack, and two fumble recoveries in 14 games, four of which he has started.
