Poe (back) will play in Sunday's Week 1 matchup with the Texans, ESPN reports.

Poe's availability was initially questioned due to his absence for much of camp. The focus now has shifted from how much he will play rather than if he will. Now that he's been ruled in, the big man should be good to go barring a setback of some kind.

Poe (back) fully participated in Wednesday's pracitce.

Poe's return to practice Wednesday represents a good sign prior to Sunday's Week 1 matchup with the Texans. While it doesn't guarantee he will play, he's looking probable early in the week.

Poe underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back on July 15 but will report to training camp Friday, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star reports.

Poe's back issues started during OTAs and became exacerbated in the interim. To date, his treatment has included two epidurals, and rest has been recommended for the remainder of training camp, according to BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site. Until Poe receives the all clear, Jaye Howard is expected to fill in at nose tackle.

Poe (back) practiced in full Tuesday, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Poe missed the last two weeks of OTAs due to back spasms, but his return Tuesday effectively clears him of the concern. With only one game missed in his three-year career, his pass-rushing prowess (10.5 total sacks the last two seasons) should translate to IDP relevance in 2015.

Poe exited practice Tuesday with a back injury, the Kansas City Star reports.

The severity of Poe's injury remains unclear at this point, but the issue held him out of practice Wednesday as well. There's no indication that the injury will hold over into training camp, but it's worth monitoring for anyone potentially considering the big man in IDP leagues.

Poe's fifth-year contract option was exercised by the Chiefs on Friday, NFL.com reports.

Poe has emerged into one of the NFL's most dominant nose tackles since joining the league as a first-rounder in 2012, making two Pro Bowl appearances along the way. As a result, exercising Poe's fifth-year option was seemingly a no-brainer for Kansas City. Entering this upcoming season, Poe will aim to build on the career-best six sacks he posted with 46 tackles last season.

Poe had a sack, a tackle for loss, a QB hit and four tackles (three solo) against the Bills on Sunday.

Poe's sack was his second in as many games, and now gives him four for the season. As the nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, he doesn't figure to light up the box score consistently, but has made his presence felt in the backfield the last couple weeks.

Poe recorded 1.5 sacks, a pass deflection and four tackle (three solo) against the Dolphins on Sunday.

Poe had his best game of the season so far, getting his first sacks of the season. He had just 4.5 all of last season and zero the season before so it's unlikely he will have totals like this on a consistent basis, but it's possible the third season will be his best.

Chiefs NT Dontari Poe had six tackles, 1.5 sacks, one batted pass and one forced fumble in Sunday's Week 1 blowout of the Jaguars.

ESPN's Bill Williamson says "the light has come on" for NT Dontari Poe.

Williamson says Poe has "taken to the new coaching" and "has a chance to be among the breakout players in the NFL this season." Poe, the 11th overall pick last season, struggled badly early and finished as ProFootballFocus' No. 72 defensive tackle. Only Tyson Alualu of the Jaguars and Casey Hampton of the Steelers were worse against the run.

Chiefs second-year NT Dontari Poe quit eating barbecue last June and has dropped 15-20 pounds.

"It might be the hardest thing I've had to do since I've been here," said Poe, the No. 11 overall pick last year. "I'm trying to cut out the beef and the pork and stay away from the fried foods. And stay away from the barbecue." As a result, Poe has reportedly been nearly unblockable in training camp. He weighed around 350 pounds as a rookie, but Poe is now down to a healthier 335.

Chiefs rookie NT Dontari Poe is expected to make his first start of the preseason in Thursday's finale.

Starter Anthony Toribio is dealing with an ankle injury. "He's making progress," coach Romeo Crennel said of Poe. "But he's still that rookie who reverts back to what he knows at times, and he forgets to remember how we want to do it. ... He's a conscientious student, and he will get it corrected." Incredibly raw for a first-round pick, Poe could be limited to nickel packages as a rookie.

No. 11 overall pick NT Dontari Poe is currently running with the third-stringers.

Poe is behind former undrafted free agent Anthony Toribio and 2011 sixth-rounder Jerrell Powe. "The young Poe, he's still learning, and he gave good effort," coach Romeo Crennel said following the preseason opener. "He's trying to learn to do the things the way we want them. Heƒ?Ts not there yet."

Chiefs first-round pick Dontari Poe has practiced as only a nickel defender so far in training camp.

Coach Romeo Crennel says Poe is a major project. "A lot," Crennel said when asked what Poe must improve. "He needs to work on technique, he needs to work on understanding the system, he needs to get the calls correct all the time. He's got a ways to go." Anthony Toribio is working as the starting nose tackle.