Getty Images

The Chiefs activated linebacker Justin Houston from the physically unable to perform list this week after he missed the first eight games of the season while continuing his recovery from offseason ACL surgery.

There’s been no official word from the team about whether Houston will play against the Panthers this weekend. Houston said Thursday that he believes he’s ready to play, though, and added that he expects he’ll be back in the groove right away.

“I expect to do what I normally do — dominate,” Houston said, via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star.

It’s been a while since the Chiefs have seen Houston at full speed. He missed the final five games of last season with a knee injury and returned at what appeared to be well under 100 percent for the team’s playoff games.

The Chiefs defense has held up well without him on the field, but the prospect of adding the Houston of old to a 6-2 team likely has a lot of people excited in Kansas City.