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          Mailbag, Part I: Is it a good thing for Chiefs that Eric Fisher is out of lineup?

          The loss of Eric Fisher looms large for the Chiefs' offensive line. George Gojkovich/Getty Images
          • Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff WriterAug 27, 2015, 02:00 PM ET
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            • Covered Chiefs for 20 seasons for Kansas City Star
            • Joined ESPN in 2013
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          KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Here is Part I of this week’s edition of the Kansas City Chiefs mailbag. Check back Friday for part II. To ask a question for a future edition, send it to me via Twitter (@adamteicher) with hashtag #ChiefsMail.

          @adamteicher: No, it's not a good thing for the Chiefs that left tackle Eric Fisher will miss his second straight preseason game on Friday night against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium. He has an injured ankle. He's the best shot they have at possessing a premium left tackle. The Chiefs have a lot invested in Fisher and it's in their best interests that he plays and becomes at least something close to the player they thought they were getting when he was drafted. He still has that chance. You can still see the athleticism. He needs to get stronger and refine his techniques. Those things will be easier to achieve when he's healthy and playing.

          @adamteicher: I agree that it's too early to overreact. What we've seen so far hasn't been good but certainly doesn't spell disaster. That said, I also think the signs are troubling. The Chiefs can't help the injuries to Fisher and Jeff Allen. Not their fault. But they've had awhile to figure the rest out and don't seem to have made a lot of progress. The Chiefs were in a similar scramble mode at this point last year and the situation didn't resolve itself favorably. It's obvious that Fisher (when he's healthy) and left guard Ben Grubbs will start. I'd be surprised at this point if Mitch Morse isn't the starting center. But they've seen a lot over the years from Allen, Donald Stephenson and Zach Fulton. They know what those guys are capable of. They appear to be making these decisions a lot more difficult than they should be.

          @adamteicher: This is a question about guard Evan Mathis, an offensive lineman who recently signed with the Denver Broncos. Even though the Chiefs have been moving guys around on the offensive line, they've seemed confident they would find the right combination from the players on their roster. I was told awhile back the Chiefs wouldn't pursue Mathis. Things can change but they never did seem interested in signing him. They've thought all along they could get the job done with the players they have.

          @adamteicher: No. Alex Smith is the starting quarterback and Chase Daniel is the backup. I don't think there's anything that can reasonably happen that would change that, certainly not what happens in a couple of preseason games.

          @adamteicher: No. Jeremy Maclin is a great start. But what do the Chiefs have after him? The other starter, Albert Wilson, was undrafted out of college last year. One slot receiver, De'Anthony Thomas, is 5-8 and was a fourth-round pick last year while the other, Jason Avant, was released last year by another team. Chris Conley has zero NFL catches and Frankie Hammond Jr. did little in his playing time last year. I think those five guys have some ability and Conley in particular has a lot of potential. But I don't think this collection of receivers puts the Chiefs in the top 10.