Practice Report 1/1

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs first practice of 2010 was the final practice of the 2009 season and it went off indoor at the team’s facility this morning.

There were no indications of a lot of players recovering from the festivities of New Year’s Eve and Todd Haley said his team had a crisp workout in preparation for Sunday’s  game in Denver.

G Andy Alleman was not at practice for the second day in a row and Haley said he would not play against the Broncos. CB Brandon Flowers (shoulder) and DE Alex Magee (hamstring) will be on the league injury reported listed as probable.

Haley said he would not approach this final game of the year any different than the previous 15. His objective is to win, not necessarily give young players who haven’t played much a chance to get game action, players like recently acquired S Reshard Langford.

“We’ll do the things necessary to win,” said Haley. “We’ve been forced by circumstances that some of those guys their play time and practice time has been accelerated. We will play and use the guys that give us the best chance to win.”

Practice Report 12/31

From the Truman Sports Complex

If there’s anybody on the Chiefs who has checked out early on the 2009 season, Matt Cassel can’t find him.

 ”We’ve had two great days of practice,” Cassel said Thursday afternoon after the Chiefs wrapped up their indoor workout. “We are super focused. Everybody is treating this like a game in the playoffs for us.”

Said head coach Todd Haley: “That’s got to be our mentality. That’s a winning team’s mentality all the time. Guys that are banged up try to play. You practice hard. You do your tape study. You continue to do all the things you did in week No. 1. That’s got to be the mindset and that’s the mindset that I would expect.  I think that’s what they have and I don’t think it matters if you are going for 16-0 or trying to get your fourth win against a division opponent on the road.”

They had all but one player taking part in the practice, as G Andy Alleman was out with a back problem. CB Brandon Flowers returned to full participation with his sore right shoulder after missing Wednesday’s practice. DE Alex Magee was also a full participant on his sore hamstring.

Practice Report 12/30

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s the final preparation week of the 2009 season for the Chiefs. By this time next week they will have scattered around the country to begin their off-season.

But after the team’s Wednesday practice, Todd Haley said nobody seems to have checked  out earlier on the disappointing season.

“We just lined up out there for the 16th week of the season and ran gassers and they lined up and ran hard,” said Haley. “They practiced hard. They were into it. They were communicating. They are here on time regardless of the weather conditions. They are working together to do the things necessary to be a good team. That’s progress.”

Only three players turned were on the injury/practice report for Wednesday. CB Brandon Flowers was listed as limited, but he did not take part in any of the early practice work and was on the field without a helmet. That’s a pretty good indication of very limited practice work.

Also listed as limited was G Andy Alleman with a sore back. DE Alex Magee had a full practice on the hamstring injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s game against Cincinnati.

It was just 24 days ago that the Broncos slapped the Chiefs with a 31-point defeat at Arrowhead Stadiuim, 44-13.  It was the Chiefs worst Arrowhead loss in more than 30 seasons. The key to that Denver victory was the difference in rushing yards between the two teams, 245 to 94. That 151-yard edge for the Broncos has been a familiar factor in who wins this AFC West battle.

“They have a very good offensive line and the last time we played these guys, they clearly won the line of scrimmage,” said Haley. “Obviously, we have to be better there.”

Practice Report Update 12/25 – Chiefs Add Safety

From the Truman Sports Complex

Maybe it was the holiday cheer from Christmas Eve or the thrill of opening presents around the tree on Christmas morning, but the Chiefs showed up for practice on Friday afternoon in much better shape than they’ve been for the last two weeks.

They also had a new teammate, as the Chiefs signed S Reshard Langford off the Eagles practice squad. Langford is 6-1, 213 and played his college ball at Vanderbilt. The Alabama native was not drafted and signed with Philly as a college free agent. He survived until the final cut before the regular season and was signed to the Eagles practice squad on Sept. 7.

Head coach Todd Haley said it was doubtful Langford would be active for Sunday’s game in Cincinnati. “We got him in here a little later than we wanted,” said Haley.

Langford played in 48 games at Vanderbilt, never missing one because of injury. He finished  his career with 247 total tackles and eight interceptions. He’s more of a strong safety type and made a name for himself in the SEC for his hitting and intelligence. 

With the exception of S DaJuan  Morgan (chest) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh), the rest of the team was working in the early portion of practice. That included LG Brian Waters, who was working with the No. 1 offensive line in the early drills, something he hasn’t done for the last two weeks.

Other players who have been on the injury report lately were all taking part.

The Chiefs official injury report to the league will read like this: DOUBTFUL – S DaJuan Morgan (chest) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh); QUESTIONABLE – LG Brian Waters (hamstring), DE Glenn Dorsey (knee), RT Ryan O’Callaghan (knee), DE Alex Magee (hamstring). PROBABLE – CB Brandon Flowers (shoulder), S Jon McGraw (hand).

Here’s what the Bengals turned in for their injury report: DOUBTFUL – DT Domata Peko (knee), S Chris Crocker (ankle); PROBABLE – DE Robert Geathers (knee), DE Frostee Rucker (illness), DT Tank Johnson (foot).

Practice Report Update 12/24

From the Truman Sports Complex

Good news for the Chiefs in their Thursday practice as CB Brandon Flowers was back in full uniform, taking a regular turn in position drills.

Flowers watched most of Wednesday’s session, but had his shoulder pads and helmet on for Christmas Eve, a hopeful sign that the shoulder injury that has bothered him all season will not keep him out of Sunday’s game in Cincinnati.

Joining Flowers on the full participation list were DEs Glenn Dorsey (knee) and Wallace Gilberry (back).

Otherwise, not much changed on the injury front with the Chiefs after getting the second practice of the week under their belts. S DaJuan Morgan (chest) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh) were in the rehab area for the second consecutive day, but were listed as limited

Others listed as limited participants in practice were LB Brian Waters and DE Alex Magee (hamstring).

The Chiefs will have an adjusted and abbreviated schedule on Christmas Day, as they will not  practice until the afternoon. Also, some of their meeting time has been moved to Saturday to accommodate the holiday.

Practice Report Update 12/23

From the Truman Sports Complex

TE Brad Cottam is recovering from surgery to help repair a cracked verterbrae in his neck on Tuesday.

Breaking his normal policy of revealing only the basics about player injuries, head coach Todd Haley reported that Cottam’s is doing well after the procedure.

“He’s already on the road to recovery,” Haley said of the tight end. “Everything went very well fromwhat I was told. He was uncomfortable there for a couple of days. From a safety standpoint, we wanted to keep him in a safe position.”

Cottam suffered the injury during Sunday’s game against Cleveland. After making a catch, his legs were taken out from under him on the tackle and Cottam landed awkwardly on the back of his head and neck.  He was momentarily dazed but walked off the field to the sidelines and after being examined by team doctors and trainers, he went back in to the game.

“We checked him out and he said he was good to go,” Haley said.  “It was only well after the fact that he started experiencing any pain.”

Sunday evening Cottam was hospitalized where x-rays and other tests showed the crack. The second year tight end out of Tennessee never lost any ability to move his arms and legs.

“From everything that I’ve been told there’s a great chance of him getting back on track,” Halely said. Read More..

Practice Report 12/18 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

It’s not looking good for Brian Waters playing on Sunday against the Browns.

Waters was again limited  in his practice participation on Friday because of a left hamstring injury. The team is listing him as doubtful on the NFL  injury report they’ll  turn in late Friday afternoon. In the last eight years, Waters has missed only two games because of injury, those came in the 2006 season because of a right knee  injury. That ended a string of 79 consecutive starts. Since missing those two games, Waters has starteed 52 straight games.

“I haven’t given up hope that Brian can go,” said head coach Todd Haley. “We’ll see how Brian comes along in the next day in a half.

If Waters can’t play, Andy Alleman figures to get the start at left guard. He’s been working with the first team in practice this week.

Haley was unwilling to share any information on whether WR Dwayne Bowe will play on Sunday, after missing the last four games because of an NFL suspension. By all accounts, Bowe has looked good in practice and has been taking snaps with the No. 1 offense. Read More..

Practice Report Update 12/17

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs had all hands practice on Thursday as they continued preparations for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Todd Haley took his team outside where they experienced weather conditions that sound like they will match what they will face  at Arrowhead against the Browns: temperature in the 30s, with a light breeze and no precepitation.

WR Dwayne Bowe got his second practice session in after being away for a four-week NFL suspension and Haley remained reticent to declare him ready to play on Sunday.

“Dwayne made it through yesterday,” Haley said. “He’s picking up a handful of new stuff that we’ve evolved since the suspension. I’m encouraged by where he’s at in two days.”

QB Matt Cassel said of Bowe: “We have missed Dwayne over the last few weeks. He’s a playmaker and to have him back on the field will be great. He’s still trying to get caught up to speed. We are doing a lot of different things in the time since he left. It will be up to the coaches to decide how far he’s progressed during the week.” Read More..

Practice Report Update 12/16

From the Truman Sports Complex

LG Brian Waters and DE Glenn Dorsey were limited participants in the Chiefs practice on Wednesday.

Both players are coming off injuries they suffered in last Sunday’s game against Buffalo, with Waters dealing with a left hamstring injury and Dorsey a left knee problem. Head coach Todd Haley remained optimistic that both Waters and Dorsey would be available this coming Sunday against Cleveland.

“I’m optimistic … I think they have a chance to play,” said Haley. “We’ll see as the week goes on.”

Also limited in practice on Wednesday were FS Jon McGraw (hand) and DE Wallace Gilberry (back). Again, Haley expets them to be ready to play vs. the Browns.

CB Brandon Flowers who missed practice time last week was a full participant on Wednesday, as the Chiefs worked indoors at their facility. Flowers has battled a sore shoulder all season.

Haley was pleased with what he saw on the practice field from WR Dwayne Bowe, taking part in his first session since serving his four-game NFL suspension. Read More..

Practice Report 12/11 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

CB Brandon Flowers is listed as questionable on the official injury report that the Chiefs turned in to the NFL office Friday afternoon.

Flowers has been dealing with a shoulder  injury and in the early part of Friday’s practice outside, he was on the stationary bike. The Chiefs listed him as a limited participant in the session. Flowers missed Thursday’s workout because of the shoulder problem, which is something he’s dealt with all season.

Head coach Todd Haley said Flowers was improved from Thursday to Friday. Haley wouldn’t say who would start if Flowers can’t go, but more than likely it would be Travis Daniels, who has been serving as the nickel back for the last three weeks.

Everybody else on the injury report is listed as probable: RB Jamaal Charles (shoulder), RB Dantrell Savage (ankle), DE Wallace Gilberry (back), G Andy Alleman (knee) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh).

The Chiefs worked outside in Friday’s practice, under sunny skies and temperatures in the low 30s. The weather forecast for Sunday afternoon is cloudy, with temps in the low to mid 40s and a chance of rain.

Also, the team announced Friday morning that Sunday’s game will be broadcast locally and not blacked out. The team said early in the week that they needed to sell 3,500 tickets for the blackout to be lifted. It makes the streak of Chiefs games on local TV 156 consecutive games.

Practice Report 12/10 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

CB Brandon Flowers did not practice on Thursday as the Chiefs went through their second workout of the week.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley said a shoulder injury is bothering Flowers and that’s why he did not practice. Flowers was limited to walking laps around the field in the team’s indoor facility.

“We’ll  know more on Friday about his availability,” Haley said of Flowers chances to play on Sunday against the Bills.

Flowers has not been on the injury report since early in the season when he had a shoulder injury that kept him out of the season opener against Baltimore.  The second-year CB missed two games last year with a shoulder injury. At 5-9, 187 pounds, shoulder injuries  figure to be a problem Flowers will have to deal with in his career.

If Flowers is out, that hurts the Chiefs defense given the fact they are playing an offense with receivers like Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed. Read More..

Practice Report 12/9 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The rehab area was uninhabited on Wednesday morning as the Chiefs began their practice week in preparation for the Buffalo Bills.

Only DE Wallace Gilberry was on the practice report as less than a full participant, as he was limited because of a sore back. Despite plenty of bumps and bruises, all 60 available players were practicing.

That included RB Jamaal Charles, who was pretty banged up after the game, but was out and working in the early part of practice with the other RBs and the offense.

“He’s showing signs of being a good player and one of those (signs) is the ability to play through bumps and bruises,” said head coach Todd Haley.  “Good back in the league have to do that. If he wants to be a good back, he’s got to do that and I think that’s what he has shown.”

The Chiefs practiced inside, despite Haley’s plans and hope to be outside. The Chiefs grounds crew cleared snow off the tarp that was covering the practice field, but a decision was made that it was too windy. Haley said it had nothing to do with a windchill factor of zero.

“i just didn’t think we could be productive out there throwing the ball with the way the wind was blowing,” said Haley. “”I was disappointed. I don’t know whether they (players) were. Working in those conditions will make us a better team.”" Read More..

Practice Report 12/4

From the Truman Sports Complex

RB Kolby Smith has been declared out of Sunday’s game against Denver, and RB Dantrell Savage will be listed as doubtful.

It sounds like Smith’s ankle injury could be a season-ender. Head coach Todd Haley said the club was waiting for further evaluation on Friday before making a decision as to how they will proceed with Smith this year and with the running back position this weekend.

If Savage can’t play, that leaves only starter Jamaal Charles at halfback. FB Tim Castille has also been taking snaps at the halfback position.

On the team’s practice squad is seventh-round draft choice Javarris Williams. “That’s a possibility,” Haley said of promoting Williams. “We’ll have to see where Savage is at and where we are as a group. We have a couple plans we are ready to go with one way or another.”

OLB Mike Vrabel will be listed as questionable on the team’s injury report to the league later today. “He’s gotten better as the week has gone along,” said Haley. “I’m optimistic with Mike.”

Smith and Savage were the only players  who did not take part in Friday’s practice session that Haley moved inside for the first time this week.

Practice Report 12/3 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

RB Kolby Smith suffered a setback in his return from an ankle  injury and did not practice with the Chiefs on Thursday. That puts in doubt his ability to play Sunday against the Broncos.

Head coach Todd Haley said that more would be known about Smith and his chances for playing against Denver on Friday.

That leaves only Jamaal Charles and Dantrell Savage as halfbacks on the roster. Savage was limited in Thursday’s practice as he recovers from an ankle injury. Haley said that Savage was better on Thursday than he was on Wednesday.

“We got a Plan B, Plan C ready to go one way or another,” Haley said of the situation at running back. “I think we’ve done the things necessary to be ready. I’m happy we have a guy like Tim Castille that can play both positions, halfback and fullback. We’ll be ready to go regardless. Any time you have an injury, it’s a setback but somebody has to move up and fill the void.”

The Chiefs were outside for practice again on Thursday, in temperatures that were even colder than what they went through Wednesday. The only difference was a bit of sunshine broke through the clouds at times, making it feel a few degrees warmer. 

Maybe because of the weather, but the Chiefs were done with practice earlier than normal.

“They were moving fast,” Haley said with smile. “They were in and out of the huddle and off the field quicker.”

Practice Report 12/2 Update

From the Truman Sports Complex

The Chiefs got back to practice Wednesday morning and head coach Todd Haley had them working outside despite temperatures in the high 30s  and with a strong wind ripping across the practice fields that made it feel 10 degrees colder.

It is December and with five cold weather games to play starting this Sunday against Denver, Haley wants to make sure his team is ready for all conditions.

“Wind is probably the biggest factor to me,” said Haley. “That’s what would most effect a game plan. I’ve been in games in the snow where teams moved it up and down the field pretty good. Wind and rain have to be taken int account.”

Sunday’s early forecast from the National Weather Service is cold, windy but right now a limited chance of precipitation.

In the early part of  Wednesday’s practice, everyone was taking part; the only player in the rehab area was OL Colin Brown, who is on the injured-reserve list. The Chiefs practice report had just RBs Kolby Smith and Dantrell  Savage listed as limited in participation. Both have ankle injuries.

OLB Mike Vrabel was back on the field and he was back working with the No. 1 defense. G Andy Alleman was back as well, but he did not step right back into the starting spot at RG that he held when he was injured. It looks like Wade Smith is going to continue to work with the first-team offense at that spot.

LB David Herron (knee) and LB Justin Rogers (thigh) were also taking part in the early practice segments.

On the field were the two newest members of the team’s practice squad: NT Derek Lokey and OL Jermail Porter. Lokey is wearing No. 69, while Porter has No. 77.