[Kansas City.com] Given the Chiefs’ rotten defensive play in the preseason opener and coordinator Gunther Cunningham’s agitated mood, it was inevitable that someone would take a fall.

On Monday, that became Jared Allen, who led the Chiefs in sacks and was a bright spot last season for an otherwise dismal defense. Allen was demoted to second team.

Jimmy Wilkerson, a little-used reserve for two seasons, took Allen’s place at right defensive end.

Asked whether Wilkerson would start in Saturday night’s exhibition game against Arizona at Arrowhead Stadium, Vermeil said, “He might. He deserves a reward.”

The move appears to be aimed more at Allen than Wilkerson. The Chiefs were unhappy with the way Allen played in last week’s exhibition opener at Minnesota.

He missed a tackle against Minnesota running back Mewelde Moore, allowing Moore to go for 50 yards. Allen also blew his assignment on the play, which the Chiefs view as an equal or bigger crime.