Brandon

Flowers

Flowers made a beautiful interception on a deep pass for Malcom Floyd, catching the ball over his shoulder. But at the end of the return, he appeared to tweak his knee on a non-contact play near the sideline. Flowers was able to walk off under his own power and is questionable to return. Backup Travis Daniels has come on.

Flowers turned in “limited” practices all week and is listed as questionable to face the Vikings. Even if the Chiefs’ top corner does play, it appears he won’t be at 100 percent. Vikings WR Percy Harvin has a quality Week 4 matchup.

Flowers was limited all week and was considered a game-time decision. If he can be effective on that gimpy ankle, he’ll suck a little upside out of Percy Harvin and the Vikings’ passing game. The Chiefs’ inactives: QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Jerheme Urban, WR Jon Baldwin, T Steve Maneri, DT Jerrell Powe, DT Brandon Bair and S Jon McGraw.

They were limited in practice all week, but their status was never really in doubt. The Chiefs’ corners have been a relative strength this season, but they get somewhat minimized against the Patriots’ TE-friendly offense led by underneath assassin Wes Welker.

Flowers has missed nearly three weeks of practice, and now appears all but certain to sit out Friday’s regular season dress rehearsal against the Seahawks. The Chiefs have remained mum on Flowers’ status, so it shouldn’t be considered a given he’ll be ready for Week 1. The missed reps won’t be a concern for the five-year veteran going into the season, as long as he’s healthy.

“If I’m out there on Sunday, then that means I’m ready to go,” said a vague Flowers. “We’ll know game day.” It’s possible secretive GM Scott Pioli instructed all players to avoid detailed commentary on injuries. Coach Romeo Crennel has been optimistic Flowers will start in Week 1 despite missing all of camp.

Flowers is reportedly near a return, but is unlikely to suit up for Saturday’s preseason game against the Rams. His absence won’t be a concern until/if it stretches toward the end of the month.

Barring a miracle, he won’t suit up for Thursday’s exhibition finale. Flowers has been sidelined since the early days of camp, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready for Week 1 against the Falcons. His absence would be a major blow for a defense that’s gotten pushed around this preseason.

Flowers has been sidelined since the early days of camp, and got in zero preseason reps. It’s possible the Chiefs have simply been exercising extreme caution with one of their most important players, however. Missed exhibition reps won’t be a big concern for the five-year vet provided he’s close to 100 percent.

“We’ll find out next week,” coach Romeo Crennel said after Sunday’s loss. “If he can practice, he’ll play. If he can’t practice, he won’t play.” Flowers got in three limited practices last week, so Crennel must be referring to full sessions. Reports on Flowers’ progress have been positive, so there’s probably a better than 50/50 chance he suits up against the Bills.