Derrick Johnson and Demorrio Williams are still battling for one inside linebacker spot.

Jovan Belcher and Corey Mays are competing for the other spot inside. With the starters expected to play into the third quarter against Philadelphia tonight, we should get a read on what coach Todd Haley is thinking (if he's thinking at all). Johnson is the more talented player, but has been in Haley's doghouse.

Chris McCosky says the Lions had internal discussions about Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson earlier in the summer and could revisit that idea now that Jordon Dizon (knee) is down.

McCosky is just speculating here, but Johnson has been in coach Todd Haley's doghouse for some time now. Perhaps a fresh start in a new scheme would spark Johnson. With Dizon out for the year and DeAndre Levy struggling with a back injury, the Lions badly need help in the middle.

Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson was still playing in the 4th quarter of Friday night's preseason opener.

It looks like Johnson is back in coach Todd Haley's doghouse, as he had no place being on the field with the backups unless he's being viewed as one of them. He has the talent to silence his critics, it's just a matter of his work ethic matching his potential.

Derrick Johnson said he's had some talked with coach Todd Haley and the two are on better terms.

Johnson publicly questioned his coach last season after he was benched, but he and the coach appear to have patched things up enough to have a working relationship. "We've had private talks, just up and down the field, whenever we get a chance," Johnson said. Johnson said he intends to win a starting spot, but the Chiefs are viewing him more as a situational player.

The Chiefs view ILB Derrick Johnson as a situational player, according to the Kansas City Star.

Johnson and Jovan Belcher are just being sprinkled in with the first team in place of Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays so far in camp. The Star says that the Chiefs are more comfortable simply inserting Johnson in obvious passing situations. We still think Johnson's talent should be enough to supplant Williams, but it's not looking good early on.

Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson is working with the first-team defense at OTAs.

"He's invested fully. He's been in here. He's stepped it up," coach Todd Haley said. "He knows he has to be better for us to be better." Johnson was in Haley's doghouse almost all last season, but is easily Kansas City's most talented inside linebacker. He's getting a shot to supplant Demorrio Williams.

Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson was working as a backup at last week's minicamp.

Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays were the starting inside linebackers, with Johnson coming in for the nickel package. It's the same role that the former Texas standout played for Todd Haley last season after spending the first four years of his career as a starter. We still think Johnson will take over a starting gig by the time Week 1 rolls around, but this isn't a promising start.