The potential loss of starting free safety Kendrick Lewis to free agency could thrust Sanders Commings into that role barring a trade or free agent acquisition, the Kansas City Star has speculated.

Commings, who played mostly cornerback at Georgia before being selected in the fifth round of the 2013 draft by the Chiefs, was beset by injuries in his rookie year. But the team felt strongly enough about him to place the short-term injury-reserve tag on him after he broke his collarbone in training camp.

He played in just two games before a shoulder injury ended his season, but the Chiefs reportedly like his speed and range enough to consider him a possible starter in 2014.