Report: Chiefs' Ward to have hand surgery, could play through injury

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward will undergo surgery on his broken hand suffered in Thursday's season opener against the Houston Texans, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Though the injury appears significant, Ward could play through it with a cast on his hand, Rapoport adds.

The Chiefs will be dangerously thin at cornerback should the 24-year-old defender miss time. Rookie L'Jarius Sneed and second-year man Rashad Fenton would likely assume the starting spots, with Antonio Hamilton seeing action as well. Sneed fared well in his NFL debut against speedy Texans receivers Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks.

Bashaud Breeland started for Kansas City in 2019 but is currently serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He's eligible to return in Week 5.

Ward has three extra days' rest before Kansas City's Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 20.