Okafor (hamstring) departed Wednesday's practice early due to injury, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.
Okafor and fellow defensive starter Willie Gay (head) were both early departures Wednesday. The 30-year-old veteran has handled a rotational role for Kansas City in each of the last two seasons, with 21 appearances in that span.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Back on active roster
Rotowire
The Chiefs activated Okafor (hamstring) from injured reserve Saturday.
Okafor will return to the field in Sunday's game against the Raiders for the first time since Week 6 against the Bills. He's missed five total games this season due to hamstring issues, while the veteran defensive end has notched six tackles and a half sack over the four games he's played.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Shifts to IR
Rotowire
The Chiefs placed Okafor (hamstring) on injured reserve Saturday.
Okafor suffered a hamstring injury during this past Monday's win over the Bills, and apparently it was serious enough to keep him out for the next three games. It's possible this injury is related to the one that kept him out Weeks 2 and 3. Nevertheless, Okafor will aim to return Week 11 against the Raiders, and Demone Harris figures to handle an expanded role behind starter Tanoh Kpassagnon.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Won't return Monday
Rotowire
Okafor (hamstring) won't return to Monday's game versus the Bills.
Okafor suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and will be shut down for the rest of the game. The veteran defensive end endured hamstring issues earlier this year, too, and this injury may be related. Okafor has a short week to recover before a Week 7 matchup against the Broncos.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Exits with hamstring injury
Rotowire
Okafor was forced out of Monday's game versus the Bills with a hamstring injury.
Okafor dealt with a hamstring injury earlier this season that kept him out of two September games, and it's unclear if this is related. It's difficult to return to games after leaving with a soft-tissue injury, so it wouldn't be surprising if Okafor is done for the evening. Taco Charlton should see additional snaps in place of Okafor.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Upgraded in practice
Rotowire
Okafor (hamstring) was a full participant for Thursday's practice session.
The veteran defensive end is making steady progress in his recovery, as he just returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his hamstring in the season opener against Houston. Already back to full participation after being limited Wednesday, Okafor is trending towards making his second appearance of the year in what will be a 2018-2019 AFC Championship game rematch. He registered half a sack in the Week 1 win over the Texans, but Sunday, he will be taking on a New England offensive line that is surrendering just 1.7 sacks per game (tied for eighth best in the NFL).
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Will miss Monday night game
Rotowire
Updating a previous report, Okafor (hamstring) will not play Monday against the Ravens.
The veteran defensive end didn't practice all week, including Saturday, so it makes sense he'll miss a second straight game. Okafor has only been able to play in part of one game this season so far, logging 10 defensive snaps, a tackle and a half-sack.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Practices in full
Rotowire
Okafor (calf) was a full participant in Monday's practice.
Okafor appears to have fully recovered from the calf issue he dealt with late August. He stands to play a key rotational role at defensive end during Thursday's regular-season opener against the Texans.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Nursing calf injury
Rotowire
Okafor sustained a calf injury Thursday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Okafor appears to have gotten nicked up during practice. The starting defensive end will have plenty of time to get fully healthy in time for the season-opener versus Houston.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Restructures deal
Rotowire
Okafor recently signed a restructured contract that will make him a free agent in March, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
The restructured deal also clears over $2 million off Kansas City's cap this year, which was likely needed given the recent massive contract extensions given to Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones. Okafor is expected to reprise his starting role at defensive end this season. He recorded 22 tackles and five sacks across 10 games during the 2019 campaign.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Dealing with pectoral injury
Rotowire
Coach Andy Reid said Okafor sustained a pectoral injury during Sunday's game against the Broncos, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Okafor was knocked out of Sunday's contest after suffering the injury, which was originally classified as a chest issue. The severity of the injury remains unclear, though his status should be updated once the Chiefs return to practice Wednesday.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Back to full health
Rotowire
Okafor (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Okafor appears to have fully recovered from the high-ankle sprain he suffered Week 8. Barring any setbacks, expect the 28-year-old defensive end to play his usual starting role against the Raiders on Sunday.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Won't practice Thursday
Rotowire
Okafor (ankle) will not participate in Thursday's practice, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Okafor has yet to resume practicing since suffering an ankle issue injury Week 8. He'll have two more opportunities to ramp up his practice reps ahead of Monday's tilt against the Chargers, but it currently looks as though Okafor is trending towards missing a third straight game.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: No limitations Wednesday
Rotowire
Okafor (hip) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Okafor's absence lasted just one game, as he'll be ready for Sunday's matchup versus the Texans. The veteran defensive end has an inconsistent role on the Chiefs' defense, but he features pass-rushing upside, which will come in handy against Deshaun Watson.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Injury not serious
Rotowire
Coach Andy Reid said following Sunday's win over Detroit that Okafor should be okay after suffering a hip strain, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.
Okafor suffered the injury late in Sunday's game but, as evidenced by this news, shouldn't be sidelined for too long. The 28-year-old had a decent game before departing, making two tackles and his first sack of the 2019 campaign. Expect Okafor's practice availability throughout the upcoming week to shed more light on his status for Week 5.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Knocked out Sunday
Rotowire
Okafor (hip) won't return to Sunday's game against the Lions.
It's unclear how Okafor suffered the injury, but the team will be without on of their best pass rushers for crunch time. Okafor exits the game with two solo tackles, as well as his first sack of the season. With Okafor out, look for Emmanuel Ogbah to see an increase in reps. Expect the team to comment on Okafor's status following the game or in the coming days.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Leaves practice Sunday
Rotowire
Okafor was forced to leave Sunday's practice due to a hip injury, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.
It's unclear how the Texas product picked up the injury, but he was not able to return to practice. Okafor was recently signed to a three-year, $18 million contract this offseason, so expect the team to take a cautious approach while training camp goes on. Expect the Chiefs to have an update on Okafor's health in the near future.
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Chiefs' Alex Okafor: Signs with Kansas City
Rotowire
Okafor has signed a three-year, $18 million contract with the Chiefs, Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports reports.
Since the Saints eventually need to let 2018 first-rounder Marcus Davenport grow into the starting defensive end role opposite 2018 All-Pro Cameron Jordan, it made sense for Okafor to sign elsewhere. A Chiefs team -- that no longer has Dee Ford -- is a good fit. In Kansas City, Okafor should immediately step into the starting lineup and command plenty of playing time.
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Saints' Alex Okafor: Nursing knee injury
Rotowire
Okafor (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Okafor is nursing a light hyperextension in his knee, putting his status for Sunday's divisional-round game against the Eagles up in the air. The 27-year-old's limited participation in practice is a positive sign, and Okafor appears to be trending toward drawing his usual start in New Orleans' defensive line.
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Saints' Alex Okafor: Half sack in win
Rotowire
Okafor recorded three tackles (two solo) and 0.5 sacks across 38 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Bengals.
Through nine games, Okafor has 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Those numbers are down from last season but it should be noted that the veteran is now competing with rookie Marcus Davenport (toe) for reps. Davenport (toe) will likely remain out for a few more weeks, which will lead to increased action for Okafor.
