Football Injured QB Cassel back at practice with Chiefs

[GotGibson?]

Quarterback Matt Cassel appeared on Kansas City's practice field Monday for the first time since injuring his left knee on Aug. 29, but his status for Sunday's opener at Baltimore remained unclear.

Cassel, who signed a six-year contract for a guaranteed $28 million, injured his knee on the third play of the third preseason game against Seattle. He was in full uniform Monday and did most of the conditioning drills in the short period the media were permitted to watch. If he does not start at Baltimore, the Chiefs would probably go with Brodie Croyle.

Coach Todd Haley was evasive whether Cassel would play Sunday.

"I think that as the week goes on, we'll know a little bit more," said Haley. "We'll know a little bit more with Matt for sure. But it was good that he was out there. He was able to get through some things. As the week goes on a little further, we'll know a little more as far as where he's at."

Cassel's backups, Croyle and Tyler Thigpen, were both inconsistent as the Chiefs went 0-4 in Haley's first preseason as their coach. Cassel, who stepped in for an injured Tom Brady with New England last year and won 11 games, hit 11 of 19 passes for 114 yards and one TD.

Croyle saw the most action and was 22 of 44 for 271 yards. The offense scored only two touchdowns in four preseason games.

"It's good this is a long week. That will help with anybody who's nicked up," said Haley. "I would say generally you would need to have a full practice to have a chance to play. Generally, you need to have a full Friday practice to have a chance."

 

[tlw9191]

Thanks for the copy and paste

 

[GotGibson?]

Cassel might not be ready for Chiefs' opener

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel practiced for the second time this week, wearing a brace on his left knee as he went through individual drills Wednesday.

His status for Sunday's season opener at Baltimore? Still up in the air.

Unable to participate fully in practice, Cassel is listed as questionable against the Ravens and coach Todd Haley was again evasive on whether his $63 million quarterback would be available.

"He was out there, which was good. That's better than not being out there," Haley said. "He was able to get through some [drills], so that's going to be a situation we'll monitor as the week goes on. I don't know that we're going to have an answer right up until we play."

Cassel was injured in Kansas City's second preseason game on Aug. 29, when he was pulled down from behind by Seattle's Brandon Mebane. He returned to practice Monday, though in a limited role.

Without Cassel, the Chiefs' sputtering offense would seem to be at a monumental disadvantage against Baltimore's stingy defense. Brodie Croyle would likely get the start and he hasn't been the franchise quarterback former coach Herm Edwards had hoped, plagued by injuries last year and unable to get the offense into the end zone this preseason.

Of course, Cassel hasn't exactly looked like the player who led New England to 11 wins after Tom Brady got hurt last year.

The Chiefs traded for Cassel in the offseason, then signed him to a six-year contract that guarantees him $28 million. He was mostly average in training camp and saw limited time in the preseason, throwing for 114 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-19 passing.

The Seahawks game was supposed to be where the Chiefs got a good, long look at Cassel. Instead, he went down on the third play of the game and his first passing play.

Now, Cassel is trying to come back from an injury and get ready for a game with limited practice time -- against one of the NFL's best defenses, no less.

"They're obviously one of the great defenses over the last decade," Haley said. "Even though they've had to plug in different players in different roles, every year they've come and played defense."

 

[GotGibson?]

Chiefs still unsure of Cassel's status for opener

Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel's sprained left knee is improving, though the Chiefs still don't know if he'll be able to play Sunday against Baltimore.

Cassel practiced for the third time this week Thursday and said he's been getting better every day. He added that it'll probably be a game-time decision on whether he can play against the Ravens.

Cassel sprained his knee in Kansas City's third preseason game against Seattle.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said he doesn't expect to know if Cassel will start until game day, adding that he hasn't decided if Brodie Croyle or Tyler Thigpen will take his place if he can't play.