The Chiefs expect to have starting free safety Kendrick Lewis back in their lineup at some point this season. Coach Romeo Crennel said Sunday that Lewis, who injured his shoulder in Saturday night’s preseason loss to the Rams in St. Louis, doesn’t need surgery and was not a candidate to go on the injured-reserve list, a move that would end his season.

But the Chiefs won’t know when Lewis can play for them until he begins his rehab.

“He’s going to be down for a little bit, probably in a sling for a couple days, and then we’ll start rehabbing and see how quickly he can come along,” Crennel said. “He has to rest that shoulder and have it immobilized for a little bit before we can start some movement exercises and see how quickly we can get him back.”

Lewis injured the same shoulder in the season’s final game last year but Crennel said this injury was different. Lewis had surgery and rehabbed all through the offseason.

Veteran Abram Elam, signed during the offseason as a free agent, will take Lewis’ place starting in practice today. The Chiefs continue their preseason with Friday night’s game against Seattle at Arrowhead Stadium.