DENVER — The Chiefs got so good at batting down Russell Wilson's passes at the line of scrimmage two weeks ago, they started knocking them down with their elbows.
Four of Wilson’s 22 pass attempts in Kansas City’s 19-8 win against the Broncos were swatted, including one by the Chiefs’ best defensive player, Chris Jones, who got his elbow on one pass attempt.
“They’re coached extremely well on that part of it,’’ Wilson said. “Obviously big ole Chris is phenomenal at it. He’s been great at it his whole career. They’ve got some other guys who are good at it, too."
“I think the best thing we can do is be physical upfront. Finding the lanes. They’re going to do a good job getting their hands up, that’s what they do. I think they’re leading the league in batted balls across the board. They have Chris and some other guys. They’ve been great at it for the past several years to be honest with you. It’s something they’re very unique at.”
Jones and Chiefs’ edge rusher George Karlaftis each have three swats this season, tying them for fourth. Another edge rusher, Mike Danna, has two.
Simmons supports Kareem
Broncos safety Justin Simmons began his weekly press conference Wednesday with an impassioned, four-minute defense and support of his fellow safety mate Kareem Jackson, who upon appeal is serving a two-game suspension for repeated hits that were labeled "unnecessary roughness" by the league.
“Even referring to the letter that was sent to Kareem [by NFL vice president Jon Runyan], and in so many words calling him a dirty player, that bothers me as a teammate,’’ Simmons said. “I’m sitting up here talking to you guys and I wouldn’t be half the player I am if it wasn’t for Kareem and the knowledge both on an off that he bestowed upon me. Never at any point in time when I’m watching the tape of him or when I’m watching tape with him does he ever come across as anything close to being a dirty player. … The whole dirty player analogy that we’re trying to stick to his name and his reputation is, excuse my language, absolute [B.S.]."
Humphrey back to 53-man roster
With Kareem Jackson temporarily suspended from the Broncos’ 53-man roster, it was only logical that receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey was promoted from the practice squad to take his place. Logical, because despite bouncing between the practice squad and 53-man roster all season, Humphrey hasn’t sat a game all year. He played in all seven, with three coming as a practice squad elevation. Three is the maximum, so for Humphrey to keep playing on game days, he needed to come from the active roster.
Who replaced Humphrey on the practice squad? Receiver Michael Bandy was signed to the practice squad for the fifth time since Aug. 30. He's also been released from the practice squad four times.
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