Chiefs lose linebacker Derrick Johnson for season with torn Achilles

The Kansas City Chiefs have lost a nearly irreplaceable player in Week 1.

Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson, the heart and soul of the Chiefs' defense, is done for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The #Chiefs believe LB Derrick Johnson has torn his Achilles, source says. Season-ending blow.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2014

This is a brutal loss. The Chiefs' 3-4 defense relies on Johnson inside, and the team only has two other inside 'backers on the roster: Josh Mauga and James Michael-Johnson.

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They'll be signing someone off the street this week. And he won't be half the linebacker Johnson is.

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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! Follow @Eric_Edholm

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