KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Linebacker Tamba Hali hasn't played or practiced since January, his aching knees preventing him from participating through offseason practice, training camp and the first eight weeks of the regular season.

Based on that information alone, expectations shouldn't be too high now that Hali will return to practice on Wednesday with the Kansas City Chiefs.

But the Chiefs kept Hali for these 10 months for a reason. They have a plan for him -- one that just might work out.

Hali, who turns 34 on Friday, won't be asked to play every down. He became a part-time player last season but was effective when he was in the lineup.

So if he can give 15 or 20 high-quality snaps every week, he'll provide the Chiefs a boost. Given the deteriorating state of his knees, it stands to reason Hali has a better chance of providing those snaps over the next eight games and into the playoffs, being fresh and not having gone through the grind of the first half of the season.

It doesn't seem wise to underestimate Hali, who has 89.5 career sacks, which is tied for 44th on the NFL's all-time list. The Chiefs pass rush has been inconsistent without him, and one of their top rushers, Dee Ford, left Monday night's game against the Broncos early because of a sore back.

The Chiefs need Hali's help -- and he just might be able to provide it.