Dee Ford

Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Dontari Poe active for Chiefs

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

While the Kansas City Chiefs are still without Jeremy Maclin, they are seeing the return of Dee Ford. Also, Justin Houston and Dontari Poe are active.

Kansas City is playing a very tough road game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon. The good news? The defense will mostly be healthy for the first time this entire season.

Yes, the Chiefs are without Allen Bailey, Josh Mauga, Jaye Howard (all on IR) and corner Phillip Gaines (ruled inactive with knee). However, the team has made Dee Ford, Justin Houston and Dontari Poe active for Sunday, despite Poe missing the entire week with back spasms.

The other inactives include Knile Davis, Dadi Nicolas, Jeremy Maclin and Tyler Bray, but things are at least trending in the right direction. If the Chiefs could just get out of the south without any other injuries (knocking on every piece of wood around), they might finally be getting ready for the home stretch.

Look for Ford and Houston to have a huge impact on this game. Atlanta loves to throw the ball with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, meaning the Chiefs have to get pressure. If they can do so, they have a real chance of winning and getting to 9-3 on the year.