Chiefs expect Tyrann Mathieu, Frank Clark back for Week 2 vs. Ravens

The Kansas City Chiefs were without two of their top defenders during Sunday’s comeback win against the Cleveland Browns. It looks like that won’t be the case for long, though.

Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke after the game about his decision to hold out both Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu. He cited precautionary reasons for both players as Clark’s hamstring still wasn’t quite right and Mathieu hadn’t practiced since August.

When asked to reassess Clark’s situation on Monday, Reid felt he made the right call and that the veteran pass-rusher is on the cusp of returning to action.

“I think he’s right on the edge of being right,” Reid told reporters on Monday. “He pushed himself this week and I just didn’t feel like it was quite all the way back with him. So, rather than take steps back with him—you’re right, we’ve been working with this trying to make sure he gets it right—and it’s not lack of effort or want to play or any of that stuff, it’s just a decision I have to make sitting in this chair along with the medical people who feed me the information and Frank communicating with us, and I just thought that was the best way to go.”

As for Mathieu, Reid was able to say with confidence that he’d be back at practice and in the starting lineup for the Chiefs this week as they head to Baltimore to face the Ravens on “Sunday Night Football.”

“Yes, as I’m sitting here right now. I haven’t met with the medical people, but yes, he’ll be back,” Reid said. “Again, that was a decision I had to make and that was more off of the conditioning part and just not putting him in a bad position. So, a little different than Frank’s, but kind of that same thinking that I just thought it was best if we had him sit this game and come back for the next one.”

Getting both players back will be a solid boost for the defense. Mathieu is the main communicator in the secondary, while Clark’s presence was sorely missed against the run in Week 1.

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