Mauga ruled out to return this season

When Pro Bowl linebacker Derrick Johnson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the Chiefs’ Thursday night win over the Raiders to take control of the AFC West, there was a glimmer of hope that Fallon’s Josh Mauga could return to the field.

Mauga suffered a labral tear in his hip during the preseason, placing him on injured reserve, after he helped lead Kansas City to the playoffs last season and a road win over Houston. Chiefs coach Andy Reid originally said Mauga could return but after talking with general manager John Dorsey, they ruled out Mauga. The ex-Fallon and injury-plagued linebacker has completed only three full seasons since making the NFL roster with the Jets in 2010. Mauga broke out in his first year with the Chiefs two years ago when he led the team with 103 tackles.

“We feel comfortable that we have some guys here that can fill in and have filled in between D.J. Alexander, (Frank) Zombo,” Reid told the media on Monday. “I think we’re still OK in that area if we didn’t do anything. We also have Justin March-Lillard who’s eligible to come back up, so he’s someone we’re looking at also. Dorsey brought some guys in to also look at. So, we’ll know more, I’m sure, throughout the day here.”

The Chiefs are allowed to activate only one person from the injured reserve list, which includes Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles. Kansas City is alone in first place after last week’s win and faces the Titans, Broncos and Chargers to close out the season.