The Chiefs on Thursday placed DE Jaye Howard on IR. Howard had missed the past 3 games with a hip injury. He wasn't an every-week starter for IDP lineups when healthy but carries DL2 potential when in the lineup. Second-year DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches has seen his playing time grow over that 3-game stretch and is worth a look in deep IDP leagues. He cracked our DL rankings for the 1st time this week.

Chiefs CB Marcus Peters (hip) is out for today's game against the Buccaneers. He joins DE Jaye Howard (hip) -- who was doubtful -- on the inactive list. The other questionable defensive starters are active: LB Derrick Johnson (hamstring), CB Phillip Gaines (neck), NT Dontari Poe (knee) and OLB Justin Houston (knee). Houston will make his season debut after opening the year on the PUP list.

The Chiefs will likely miss DE Jaye Howard (hip) Sunday against the Buccaneers. He missed practice all week after sitting out the Week 10 game and is listed as doubtful. LB Derrick Johnson (hamstring), CB Marcus Peters (hip), CB Phillip Gaines (neck), Justin Houston (knee) and Dontari Poe (knee) are all questionable. Houston's expected to play for the 1st time this season after putting in full practices Wednesday and Thursday. Peters, on the other hand, didn't practice at all this week and looks quite iffy. Johnson put in a limited practice Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. He played through the hamstring issue in Week 10. Poe practiced on a limited basis Thursday but sat out the other 2 days. Gaines put in limited workouts all week. We'll check on each player's status Sunday.

The Chiefs have ruled DE Jaye Howard out for Sunday's game at Carolina with a hip injury. He missed practice all week. We'll see about his status beyond Sunday.

Chiefs DE Jaye Howard has reached a 2-year deal to stay in Kansas City, worth up to $12 million. Howard posted a career-high 5.5 sacks in his 1st full season as a full-time starter last year. He carries a decent IDP profile.