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Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is set go to under the knife. Johnson, who ruptured his Achilles during the Chiefs' 21-13 win over the division-rival Raiders on Thursday, will have surgery on that Achilles Saturday morning, according to a report from Sporting News.


The procedure is being performed by renowned foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte.

The reason for the quick turnaround is because it gives Johnson "his best chance for recovery" to rejoin the team as soon as possible for next season, the source said. Johnson, 34, tore his Achilles in non-contact fashion while trying to defend a Raiders run play early in the second quarter. Johnson tore his right Achilles tendon in the 2014 season-opener but was back for Week One the following season.

Johnson, as an inside linebacker, has been one of Kansas City's most important defensive players for years. He has 1,080 tackles, 27.5 sacks, 70 passes defensed, 14 interceptions, 21 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in his 12-year career.

Once he exited the game, the Chiefs mostly put an extra defensive back -- safety Daniel Sorenson -- on the field in his place, rather than inserting another linebacker. That may have been dictated by the matchup against the Raiders or it may give us a clue as to what the Kansas City defense will look like with Johnson out for the rest of the season.

The Chiefs have one of the NFL's top defenses despite not really being fully healthy all season. They played the first 10 weeks of the year without star pass-rusher Justin Houston, for example. Now they'll just have to make do without yet another top defender.