Chiefs have multiple injuries within their secondary, but that could provide veteran CB opportunity to remain on roster

The Kansas City Chiefs' defense is a bit banged up right now.

The front seven is dealing with multiple injuries, headlined by defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who had to be placed on season-ending injured reserve. Things aren't much better back in the secondary, as safety Mike Edwards and cornerback Nazeeh Johnson have been held out of practice this week.

That is coming off the heels of S Deon Bush also going on season-ending IR, and CB Kristian Fulton missing nearly the entirety of training camp while recovering from offseason knee surgery. While speaking to the media on Tuesday, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo admitted that there's a level of concern with the secondary.

"The unknown is Kristian right now, because we haven't had him out there," Spagnuolo said. "Jaylen's (CB Jaylen Watson) missed some time. Now we got NJ (Nazeeh Johnson) that's a little bit dinged up. More than any group on the defense, that back end has to have a lot of continuity, and that comes with reps. So with a couple of different moving pieces, there's a little bit of concern there. Hopefully we can start to gel that together."

With all the injuries that the Chiefs are dealing with throughout the secondary, that could provide an opportunity for CB Joshua Williams to remain on the roster when they trim down to 53 players. Until recently, it has appeared that Williams was in danger of being cut. However, Spagnuolo had plenty of praise for the fourth-year player.

"Josh has played really well," Spagnuolo said. "We track production in training camp — pass breakups, interceptions, forced fumbles. Josh was right up there with a group of them. So to his credit, he has produced. He's going to get an opportunity now with NJ dinged up here, and we'll see that transpires. But Josh always gives us speed and length out on the edge. He's always given us that."

Williams has flashed at times, but has remained stagnant for the most part, not showing a lot of development over the past couple of years. He had a bad rep in last week's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, surrendering a touchdown catch to wide receiver Jake Bobo on a fade route. Williams needs a strong showing in Friday's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears to help his chances.