Chiefs lose linebacker to injury

Linebacker Demorrio Williams will likely miss the final two Kansas City Chiefs preseason games with a broken bone in his right hand, but expects to be ready for the Sept. 7 opener at New England.
Williams, a free agent who signed a five-year contract in March, suffered the injury in practice Tuesday, but did not learn of the severity until a cast was placed on the hand later.
“When I did it, I knew I did something, but I thought I might just have jammed another finger,” Williams said Wednesday. “I ended up going through practice. I didn’t think it was this serious.”
From what doctors told him, Williams said, he’ll miss Saturday’s game at Miami and probably the Aug. 28 preseason game with St. Louis.
“I will be back for New England,” Williams said.
Williams said he was rushing the passer when the injury occurred.
“I got pushed in the back and hit the quarterback’s back of his foot and my fingers kind of slid between them,” Williams said. “I didn’t think it was as bad as they said it was.”
He said the “cracked bone” is between his little finger and ring finger. He has never played in a cast, but might be forced to do so against the Patriots.
Williams was a first-team All-Big 12 as senior at Nebraska and went on to play four years with the Atlanta Falcons, starting the past three years.
Elsewhere on the Chiefs’ injury front, starting right tackle Damion McIntosh was held out of practice Wednesday after spraining an ankle Tuesday.
Linebackers Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris are also in pain, Edwards with hamstring trouble and Harris with a problematic knee.
“They haven’t taken a snap yet in the games yet,” coach Herm Edwards said. “That’s a little bit concerning. They are veteran guys and still have a little time.”
Branden Albert, a first-round pick who is projected to start at left tackle, also is out with a foot injury.
“This is my third year in a row that the starting offensive line has not practiced together,” Edwards said.
Tight end Brad Cottam, shoulder, and cornerback Tyron Brackenridge, hamstring, also did not practice.
“We’ve got guys who are nicked a little bit, but hopefully they are getting better,” Edwards said.