ST. JOSEPH, Mo. _ Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston won't practice with the team during training at Missouri Western State, coach Andy Reid said on Tuesday.
"I don't think that will happen," Reid said. "That one I can tell ya. That's not gonna happen."
When Houston underwent surgery in February to fix a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the team gave him a six- to-12-month recovery timetable, which would have put him on track to return in mid-August at the earliest. That's when around the time training camp comes to a close.
"It's the same situation we talked about before," Reid said. "We'll just see how it goes. The doctors will let me know, and Justin will try to keep open communication with all parties here."
Reid, however, said he does expect the Chiefs' star 27-year-old outside linebacker to report to camp at Missouri Western. Veterans are scheduled to arrive on Friday.
"He'll be here, he's just not gonna be able to do the football stuff," Reid said. "He'll rehab and continue on with his rehab."
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey created a sense of optimism surrounding Houston's situation in April when he revealed that he expects Houston to play this season.
"I'm not a medical expert, but I can tell you that Justin Houston will be playing this season," Dorsey said at the time. "I would say that our doctors have reassured us that he will play this season."
The Chiefs will need him. He is among the best players in football, as evidenced by his 22-sack 2014 season, and among the highest paid as he enters the second year of a Chiefs-record six-year, $101 million deal.
He recorded 30 tackles and 7 { sacks in 11 games last season before suffering a hyperextended left knee against San Diego in November. Afterward, the Chiefs and orthopedic surgeon James Andrews _ who ultimately performed Houston's ACL repair _ determined in December that Houston could come back and play on the knee after some rest, which he did in their 30-0 wild-card win over the Texans. But Houston played little in the next game, a 27-20 divisional-round loss to New England, and tests in February showed further knee damage, which led to surgery.
Reid said the Chiefs will proceed with caution as it pertains to their best player.
"(We'll) make sure he's safe to go out and play when that time, and if that time, comes about," Reid said.
