Kansas City Chiefs LB Joe Mays to have wrist surgery; out indefinitely
By Mike Marteny
Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Joe Mays will need wrist surgery, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports.
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Mays injured his wrist during the first half of the Chiefs’ game against Carolina on Sunday. There is no timetable for his return.
The Chiefs signed the 29 year old Mays to a two year contract worth $6 million in the offseason. He was expected to start along side Derrick Johnson at one of the inside linebacker slots. Mays is known for being a physical run stuffer, which is why the Chiefs signed him.
2013 fourth round pick Nico Johnson has been seeing more reps in practice with Mays out, and is the favorite to replace him in the Chiefs’ base defense while Mays is out. James-Michael Johnon and Josh Mauga could also replace Mays if Nico Johnson struggles in the role.
Mays was a sixth round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2008 draft out of North Dakota State University. He earned his first NFL action on special teams late in the 2008 season.
He was traded to the Denver Broncos in July of 2010 for RB J.J. Arrington. He was a starter for the Broncos until he broke his fibula in week six of the 2012 season and missed the rest of the year. Mays stayed with Denver until his release in July of 2013.
The Houston Texans signed Mays to a one year deal last July. He appeared in 14 games for the Texans, recording 67 total tackles and one sack.
In his five year career, Mays has 220 career tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.