53 Anthony Hitchens MLB

Hitchens was activated from the reseve/COVID-19 list Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Hitchens missed the final two regular-season games while on the reserve list, but he'll return to action for the Chiefs' first playoff game Sunday against the Browns. The 28-year-old started the first 14 games of the season and produced 78 tackles and a pass breakup. Hitchens is slated to start versus Cleveland.

Hitchens (undisclosed) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list and is slated to miss Sunday's game against the Chargers as a result, Herbie Teope of the Kansas City Star reports.

Hitchens' continued absence would allow for Ben Niemann (hamstring) to see additional work at linebacker, but the former should be able to return for the Chiefs' playoff run as coach Andy Reid said Hitchens is "doing good."

Hitchens was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Hitchens either tested positive for the virus or came into close contact with an infected person. If it's the latter, he'll have a chance to play in this Sunday's game against the Falcons, pending the proper number of negative tests. Ben Niemann is slated to start at middle linebacker if Hitchens is unable to go.

Hitchens had five tackles (three solo) and one quarterback hit during Monday's 26-17 win over the Bills.

The 28-year-old's modest total tied for second on the team, as Damien Wilson led the way with six tackles. Hitchens has 43 total tackles through six games, and he has only one game with double-digit stops.

Hitchens (illness) returned to practice Friday and is expected to play Monday versus the Bills.

Hitchens missed just one practice with a sickness that wasn't related to COVID-19, and he's shaken it off and will begin preparing for a crucial AFC showdown. The 28-year-old linebacker has piled up 37 tackles and a pass breakup through five contests despite not yet having played more than 80 percent of the defensive snaps in a game.

Hitchens (illness) was not present at Thursday's practice, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Hitchens is dealing with an illness unrelated to COVID-19, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports. Nonetheless, the starting linebacker's absence from practice is enough to manufacture some doubt about his Week 6 availability. He'll have two more chances to retake the practice field ahead of Monday's contest in Buffalo.

Hitchens made nine tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 40-32 loss to the Raiders.

Hitchens briefly left the game due to a hand injury but was able to return and lead the team in tackles. The 28-year-old middle linebacker has a team-high 37 tackles through five games. This hand injury could be a lingering issue, but as long as he's on the field, Hitchens should be a solid IDP contributor.

Hitchens (hand) returned to Sunday's game against the Raiders, Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old exited during the first half due to the hand injury and was questionable to return, but he was able to retake the field. Hitchens leads the defense with nine tackles (seven solo) with the Chiefs trailing 40-32 at the two-minute warning.

Hitchens (hand) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Raiders.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear, but, the veteran was forced to leave the contest early in the second quarter. As long as Hitchens is sidelined, look for Ben Niemann to take over as the team's middle linebacker.

Hitchens recorded nine tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Chargers.

Hitchens finished tied for second on the team in tackling. Kansas City had trouble defending the run at times against the Chargers, surrendering 183 yards on 44 carries. Things will get no easier for Hitchens and the Chiefs as they travel to take on a dominant Baltimore rushing attack in Week 3.

Hitchens finished 2019 with 88 tackles (51 solo), two sacks and a forced fumble during the 2019 season.

The Chiefs' coaching staff made a successful attempt to limit Hitchens' defensive snaps to keep him healthy, sitting him for 239 more snaps than he rested during 2018. Hitchens did miss one game in the middle of the season due to a groin issue, but the seventh-year linebacker was able to stay on the field for most of 2019. Unfortunately, the reduced snap count also detracted from his fantasy value as an IDP linebacker. It seems unlikely that the staff would opt to increase his volume again next year, so it may be best to view his value near what it was in 2019.

Hitchens racked up a team-best and season-high 10 tackles (two solo) Monday against the Chargers.

Hitchens has seen a major drop in his fantasy value with the move from middle linebacker to outside linebacker during the offseason. Averaging just 6.1 tackles per contest and having not recorded an interception this season, Hitchens likely remains off the fantasy radar in most formats until he can prove Monday's effort wasn't a one-time display.

Hitchens had six tackles (five solo), two sacks and a forced fumble in Thursday's 30-6 win over the Broncos.

Hitchens missed last week's loss to the Texans but returned in resounding fashion Thursday to record his first sacks since 2016. The 27-year-old has 33 tackles (24 solo) in six games.

Hitchens (groin) was a full practice participant Tuesday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Hitchens was inactive Sunday and began the week as a limited participant due to the groin issue, but should be good to go for Thursday's game at Denver. The 27-year-old has 27 tackles (19 solo) through five games.

Hitchens (groin) was listed as a limited participant in Monday's practice estimate.

Hitchens was limited for every practice last week but ended up watching from the sidelines during this past Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Texans. He'll need get on the field in some capacity if/when the Chiefs host actual practices Tuesday and Wednesday in order to have a chance at playing Thursday against the Broncos.

Hitchens (groin) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Hitchens was limited in practice all week due to a groin issue, and he's not yet ready to retake the field. Darron Lee stands to see increased opportunities at weakside linebacker as long as Hitchens can't go.

Hitchens (groin) is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup with Houston.

Hitchens has been able to put in a trio of limited practices this week after picking up the groin injury in last week's loss to the Colts.

Hitchens (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hitchens suffered this groin injury during this past Sunday's game versus the Colts, and he's still dealing with the effects. It's a positive sign that he's still able to practice in some capacity. The Chiefs hope he can elevate to a full participant by Friday, or else he'll likely carry a questionable tag into Sunday's game versus the Texans.

Hitchens (groin) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Colts.

Hitchens' next chance to get back in there will be against the Texans in Week 6.

Hitchens is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Colts due to a groin injury.

Hitchens' tackling ability will be missed by a defense that's had trouble stopping the run and is contending with a run-heavy Indianapolis offense.