Tamba

Hali

Huff’s salary went from $945,000 in 2009 to $5.75 million in 2010. This rule is a relative of the “30 percent” rule that prohibited teams from locking up players to long-term deals that would pay them 30 percent more than their 2010 salary in any future year. Depending on the outcome of the CBA, Huff will either hit the open market or the Raiders will have to fork over $6.325 million if he’s ruled a restricted free agent. Other players affected by the same rule: Haloti Ngata, Johnathan Joseph, DeAngelo Williams, Chad Greenway, and Tamba Hali.

Chiefs RE Tamba Hali’s matchup couldn’t be better. He had six tackles and a breakup in the opener and will be a fine bet to notch his first sack in Week 2.

Incumbent starter Eric Hicks is injured. The two should compete in training camp.

Hali never came out of the game and the Kansas City Star is speculating that Hali could finish out the season even if a fracture is confirmed. Hali has eight of the Chiefs’ 20 sacks on the season.

A relentless Hali knocked RT Derek Sherrod out of the game and tormented LT Marshall Newhouse throughout. He’s now seventh in the NFL with 12 sacks, just 2.5 fewer than last season’s AFC-leading total. Hali put enough hard hits on Aaron Rodgers to make the Packers think twice about the risk over the final two games.

Hali’s hand was swollen and rumored to be broken following last week’s win in Chicago, but he’s just in some protective wrapping this week. Hali leads the Chiefs with eight sacks on the year.

No word yet on the exact transgression. Hali is eligible to keep practicing and playing in preseason games, but will not be in uniform when the Chiefs host the Falcons on September 9. It’s a brief yet impactful blow to a rapidly improving defense. Hali has piled up 27 sacks and forced eight fumbles as a difference-maker the last two seasons. He’ll be replaced by Andy Studebaker in Week 1 and this suspension will cost Hali roughly $1.3 million (two game checks).

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirms Hali’s suspension is related to a “violation of the law.” Official violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy — those triggered by positive drug tests — result in four-game or one-year suspensions, but shorter bans are allowed if a player’s issue comes to light via arrest.

The Chiefs sorely missed Hali in Week 1 as they rarely pressured Matt Ryan and sacked him just once. Hali will immediately step back into the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against the Bills. He has 27 sacks and eight forced fumbles over the last two seasons.

ESPN analyst Mark Schlereth found fault with LT Jeff Backus when breaking down film. “Don’t let stats get in the way of facts — don’t let them get in the way of your eyeballs,” Schlereth said. “There still are some concerns with this team when it comes to pass protection, and I have concerns about their left tackle.” Backus squares off against Vikings Pro Bowler Jared Allen this week.