Time for KC Chiefs to decide whether to activate veteran offensive lineman Kyle Long

The Chiefs could bolster their depth on the offensive line ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday afternoon that a decision about whether to activate veteran lineman Kyle Long from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list would come by the end of the day.

The 32-year-old Long, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Chicago Bears, came out of retirement last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs before suffering a leg injury during organized team activities (OTAs).

He missed training camp and all three preseason games, and then started the season on the PUP list. NFL rules require a player to spend a minimum of six weeks on the list before he can become eligible to return to practice.

“We’re sorting through all of that today, but I appreciate having him here and doing what he’s been doing, too, and how he’s handled everything,” Reid said. “We’ll make that decision — and I leave that up to (general manager) Brett (Veach), the doctors — but we’ll make that decision here today.”

The Chiefs designated Long as “return to practice” on Nov. 9, which opened a 21-day window for a decision on whether to activate him from the PUP list, send him to injured reserve or release him from his contract. That was set to close later on Monday.

Since returning to practice three weeks ago, Long has done his part to impress.

“He’s worked his tail off during his recovery time here,” Reid said. “We’ll see how all of that goes here.”

If the team decides Long is ready for action, the Chiefs will gain a player capable of filling roles at guard or tackle.

And Long isn’t the only player the Chiefs could have back this week.

Reid said rookie right tackle Lucas Niang was “making good progress” before the Week 12 bye. Niang missed two straight games with an injury to his ribs, but there is hope he’ll be able to return to practice this week.

“There’s a chance he’s ready,” Reid said.

Niang started the first five games of the regular season at right tackle before giving way to veteran Mike Remmers in Week 6. Remmers started in Weeks 6-7 but landed on injured reserve ahead of the Chiefs’ Week 8 game, so Niang returned to the first-team offense.

With Niang shelved from Weeks 10-11, the Chiefs relied on veteran Andrew Wylie at right tackle.