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Chiefs lose emotional leader Derrick Johnson to another season-ending Achilles injury

With five minutes remaining in the first half of Thursday’s game, the Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be rolling to a rousing victory over the rival Oakland Raiders with first place in the AFC West hanging in the balance in a crucial battle. The Chiefs hung on to win but not without serious consequences.

Linebacker Derrick Johnson went down at that point, slamming his helmet down, and appeared to know exactly what we all found out later: that he had just suffered a very bad injury, needing to be helped off the field and clearly looking despondent immediately afterward.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Johnson had ruptured his Achilles tendon for the second time in just over two years, which will end his season. It was said to be a complete tear of the Achilles in his left ankle.

“It’s a sad deal,” Reid said after the game.

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Thursday night. (AP)
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson suffered a season-ending Achilles injury Thursday night. (AP)

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The Chiefs led 21-3 when Johnson left the game late in the second quarter. From that point on, the Raiders outscored the Chiefs 10-0 and had ample chances to perhaps tie the game. The Chiefs’ defense responded in Johnson’s absence, even with QB Alex Smith struggling mightily in the second half.

But the loss can’t be overstated for the long term. Johnson, 34, had totaled 90 tackles in the first 13 games of the season, adding a 55-yard interception in Week 3 against the New York Jets. He was the tone-setter for the Chiefs’ defense, and the team looked flat and listless after he left.

In Week 1 of the 2014 season, Johnson suffered the same injury in a loss to the Tennessee Titans. The Chiefs trailed 7-3 in that game and were outscored 19-7 after he left, suffering a brutal loss to a team that would end up winning one more game all season.

Johnson came back to earn a Pro Bowl bid last season and appeared on his way to another one this season before Thursday’s injury. Now the Chiefs must find a way to replace a player who seldom comes off the field and who was a godfather-like figure on this unit. His replacement, D.J. Alexander, was a fifth-round draft pick in 2015.

A big night for the Chiefs also came at a great cost.

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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!