Dontari Poe Injury: Updates on Chiefs DL's Back and Return

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Dontari Poe suffered a back injury against the Denver Broncos in Week 12. However, he is ready to play. 

Continue for updates. 

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Poe Active vs. Falcons

Sunday, Dec. 4

BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official website announced that Poe is available against the Falcons on Sunday.

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Latest on Poe's Practice Status

Friday, Dec. 2

Kissel reported Poe sat out Friday's team practice with back spasms. 

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Back Issues Nothing New for Poe

The 26-year-old had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back in July 2015. He played in 15 games last season, but it wasn't until late in the year when his coaches started to see those old flashes of brilliance in games.

Last January, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star noted Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton mentioned Poe's improved play as the team was heading into the playoffs.

Poe told Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride in July that his back felt as good as it had in years. He has appeared in all 11 of the Chiefs' games so far this season, recording a half-sack and 18 total tackles. 

The Chiefs don't have a backup nose tackle listed on their roster, so the team will have to adjust its game plan, with Rakeem Nunez-Roches and Jarvis Jenkins getting additional reps on the defensive line, if Poe is limited or forced to the sidelines in the future.