Kansas City's magic carpet ride toward the postseason just hit a wave of turbulent air.
NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported Wednesday that Justin Houston is visiting noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews for an examination of the pass rusher's banged-up knee. According to a source briefed on the injury, there is fear inside the building that the sack master could miss the rest of the regular season.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport first reported earlier this month that Houston suffered a sprained PCL in a Week 12 win over the Buffalo Bills. He hasn't played since.
Houston has notched 7.5 sacks this season after tearing up the league with an NFL-best 22 sacks in 2014. His takedown totals are down, but losing Houston would equate to a massive blow for a rugged Chiefs defense playing as well as any unit in the AFC.
It's uncertain if Houston would be healthy enough for the playoffs if Kansas City gets that far. What is certain is that the Chiefs are not the same team without their most dominant defender.
One hopeful note, though, is the play of outside linebacker Dee Ford, who piled up three sacks, seven tackles and a pass breakup in Sunday's smothering win over the San Diego Chargers. Ford will be counted on to repeat those heroics deep into December -- and maybe beyond.