Tamba Hali's one-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy means the Chiefs will need to get creative with their pass rush in the Sept. 9 opener against Atlanta.
The Falcons allowed only 26 sacks last season, which ranked sixth-best in the league, and Hali has a team-best 26 1/2 sacks the last two seasons.
Hali's backup at OLB is Andy Studebaker, who started five games opposite Hali in 2011 before losing his job to Justin Houston. Studebaker is more of a run stopper and has only 2 1/2 sacks in his first four seasons in the league.
When other defenders have been injured, such as CB Brandon Flowers, Romeo Crennel has said the Chiefs would not change how they defend. He let on that his approach could change without Hali.
"We'll look at guys and see what's going to happen," Crennel told the Kansas City Star. "We'll look here the next week and a half and see how it goes and when we start preparing for the Atlanta game, we'll determine how we play the game."
The best option in passing situations against Atlanta could be second-year OLB Cameron Sheffield. Sheffield had a sack in the preseason opener against Arizona. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, he is battling a sore groin muscle and missed the game against St. Louis on Saturday.
"Sheffield can rush. He has rushed in the past," Crennel said. "Andy can rush. Andy has worked really hard this training camp, and I think he's really improved his pass-rush ability. All of those guys can produce and can play. We'll look at them out there and see who can bring something to the table for us."
Lewis does not need surgery: Safety Kendrick Lewis, who left Saturday's game with a right shoulder injury, does not need surgery, Crennel said on Sunday. It is unknown, however, how long until Lewis returns. He injured the same shoulder in the final regular season game last season and had surgery during the offseason. This is a different injury, Crennel said.
The good news for the Chiefs is that they have a viable replacement in veteran Abram Elam. Elam started 16 games for the Cowboys last season and has been a starter for the Jets and Browns as well.
Last season, the Chiefs struggled throughout the year to find a productive replacement for S Eric Berry, who tore his ACL in the season-opener. The Chiefs had six different players start at safety. Sabby Piscitelli and Jon McGraw received most of the playing time created by Berry's absence, and neither player is in the league this season.
The other option to replace Lewis is Travis Daniels, who moved from cornerback to safety during OTAs. Daniels has been limited in practice and missed both preseason games because of a groin injury.
"That will be his job to lose right now," Crennel said of Abram, via KCChiefs.com. "Travis Daniels is the other guy that we have played back there some of the time, and I think Travis is very capable. He is an experienced, sharp young man and he understands the system and knows all the calls. He can handle the back end as well."
Flowers in a walking boot: Crennel told the Kansas City Star on Sunday that he was hopefull CB Brandon Flowers would practice on Monday for the first time since July 31. Flowers was at practice on Monday, but he was in a walking boot, according to Kansas City Star beat writer Adam Teicher.
Follow Chiefs reporter C.J. Moore on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLKC and @cjmoore4.
