Kansas City, Mo. ? Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson will not play against Miami on Sunday, joining several other key starters on an injury list that gets longer each week.

Already out were Pro Bowl left guard Brian Waters, who injured his knee during last week’s game at St. Louis, and right tackle Kevin Sampson. Johnson, Kansas City’s best tackler and top playmaker at linebacker, hurt his ankle in the victory over the Rams and has not practiced all week.

“I think the young guys we have in there are going to play well. But it’s going to be a little bit new,” coach Herm Edwards said Thursday.

“You find out about your players. You find the players who can step up to the plate and say, ‘I’m ready.’ There are some guys who don’t handle it as well. But you find it out about your team, and that’s a good thing.”

Quarterback Trent Green, out with a severe concussion since the Sept. 10 season opener, will miss his eighth straight start, although he will suit up for the second straight game and be on the sideline.

Green, who was scheduled to visit the doctor late Thursday, hopes to be ready for next week’s game at home against Oakland.

Edwards said he did not know how long Johnson might be sidelined. He and linebacker Kawika Mitchell are tied for the team lead with 54 tackles.

Safety Greg Wesley, another casualty in the Rams’ game, was listed as questionable.

Chris Bober, a seventh-year pro in his third year with the Chiefs, came in for Waters last week and probably will start Sunday, although Edwards would not confirm that Thursday. Kyle Turley will start at right tackle for Sampson and Keyaron Fox, a third-round pick in 2004, will get his first NFL start in place of Johnson.

“This is my first NFL start. I hate that it had to happen like this. But it’s the chance I’ve been waiting for and I’m going to do my best to go out and take advantage of my opportunity,” Fox said.

Counting fullback Ronnie Cruz, who was injured several weeks ago, Kansas City (5-3) will be missing at least five starters in its noon kickoff at Miami.

“What young players have to understand, when you’re in the game it’s a whole different pressure from being down on the sideline wishing you were in the game,” Edwards said.