The Sports Xchange

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fourth-round draft choice Ramik Wilson has taken advantage of increased opportunities at inside linebacker in the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense and he’s grabbed the attention of the coaching staff with consistent play.

Wilson got the chance because of a groin injury sustained by starter Josh Mauga in the first quarter of the Chiefs against Cincinnati and is one of the positives in Kansas City’s 1-5 start.

“Ramik had some real positive downs for us,” head coach Andy Reid said of Wilson’s play against Minnesota on Sunday, when he finished as the team’s leading tackler with nine stops.

Wilson was the spearhead of the Kansas City run defense that held Adrian Peterson to 60 yards on 26 carries, including 13 plays where he had zero or minus yards.

Until Mauga suffered his injury, Wilson had not seen a snap of time on the defense. But since the first quarter of that game against the Bengals, the University of Georgia product has logged 121 snaps. Those are along with the 32 plays he had in the kicking game.

–One thing that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid does not plan to do is give up the offensive play-calling role he’s had with the team over two seasons and six games. Doug Pederson has the title of offensive coordinator, but on game day, Reid is pulling the calls off the play sheet.

Saying he’s going to make whatever changes are necessary to help turn around his team’s season, handing over the duties of play caller does not appear to be one of them.

The Kansas City offense offense ranks No. 20 in total yards and 22nd in points scored, while ranked last on third-down conversions and No. 30 in pass protection.

Wouldn’t giving up those duties give Reid more time to work on other problems his team can’t seem to solve?

“Well, I think I spend a lot of time on it (all of the things) anyways; not a lot of wasted hours,” Reid said. “Listen, I trust my coaches that they can coach their positions and I try to keep an eye on that on both sides of the ball and special teams. That’s part of my job. Listen, I look at everything.”

–Running back Jamaal Charles (knee) underwent surgery on the torn ACL in his right knee on Tuesday in Florida. The procedure was performed by Dr. James Andrews, who also handled surgery on Charles’ left ACL when he sustained that injury early in the 2011 season. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said reports from Dr. Andrews were good. The surgery came nine days after he went down in a game against Chicago on Oct. 11.

NOTES: Defensive end Mike DeVito (concussion) did not practice with the Chiefs on Wednesday as the team began their preparation week for this Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. DeVito sustained a concussion in the first half of last Sunday’s loss to Minnesota. Head coach Andy Reid said DeVito is going through the league’s concussion protocols and making progress. His status for the game against the Steelers remains unknown. … Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (concussion) also did not practice and coach Andy Reid said Maclin is going through the league’s concussion protocols and making progress. His status for the game against the Steelers remains unknown. … Defensive tackle Dontari Poe (ankle) returned to the practice field on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain on Oct. 11 against Chicago. Reid said his status for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh will be depend on how he handles the work. … Inside linebacker Josh Mauga (groin) returned to the practice field on Wednesday. Mauga suffered a strained right groin injury early in the game on Oct. 4 against Cincinnati and did not practice the last two weeks. … Inside linebacker Ramik Wilson (knee/ankle) suffered an injury to his right leg near the end of the first quarter in Minnesota and that kept him off the practice field on Wednesday. Wilson was taking part in a tackle and a pile of bodies rolled up on his leg, tweaking the knee and ankle. Wilson has started the last two games in place of Mauga. … Outside linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) was held out of Wednesday’s practice because of swelling on one of his knees. Hali has dealt with this problem over the last three seasons and Reid said the team is being cautious with him. He’s expected to play on Sunday against Pittsburgh.