Chiefs Buzz: Baldwin might make debut against Colts

[Deberg_1990]

Hooray!!


http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/05...n-baldwin.html



Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Wednesday that he hopes that rookie wide receiver Jon Baldwin finally will make his regular-season debut Sunday against the Colts.

Baldwin on Wednesday was, for the first time since fracturing his thumb in a fight with teammate Thomas Jones, listed as a full participant in practice. He had been limited the last several weeks. Baldwin told reporters last week that he hoped to rejoin his teammates soon but was again made inactive for this past Sunday’s game.

“I know he’s been really working hard,” Haley said, “and I’m excited. … It’s hard to sit there on the sidelines and not get to do much. This is another kid who really cares and wants to be in there trying to help. We’ll see as the week progresses where he is.”

Baldwin was the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick this year, and he has been sidelined since the second week of the preseason. Haley said these weeks have been similar to offseason practices for Baldwin, in that he has been exposed to the team’s offense and its players, but contact and actual football work has been limited.

“Hopefully that accelerates where he is,” Haley said. “We’ll just have to see where he is physically.”

At least for now, Baldwin will work with the special-teams unit. Haley said Baldwin’s performance there could be the deciding factor on whether he is active against the Colts.

Chiefs prepare for two QBs

Colts coach Jim Caldwell indicated Wednesday that Curtis Painter is the team’s starting QB for now, but that doesn’t mean the Chiefs are ignoring the possibility that Kerry Collins could return by Sunday.

Collins was held out of Monday’s game with a concussion, and Painter started in the team’s loss to Tampa Bay.

“Kerry has not been cleared as of yet,” Caldwell said. “… Certainly at this point in time, Curtis is our starter.”

Still, Haley said the Chiefs are preparing for both.

“Just as the week goes on,” Haley said, “we’ll try to figure out how that’s going to go.”

Painter completed 13 of 30 passes for 281 yards and two TDs against the Bucs. Collins completed 49 percent of his passes and averaged 160.3 passing yards in his three starts this season.

Chiefs add practice squad running back

The Chiefs signed Shaun Draughn to their practice squad Wednesday, releasing offensive lineman Butch Lewis to make room. Draughn is a 6-foot, 205-pound rusher who spent time with Washington this season as an undrafted free agent.

Injury report

Safety Jon McGraw had a knee injury Wednesday but was a full participant in practice. Receiver Terrance Copper was out because of an illness.

For the Colts, offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (ankle), guard Ryan Diem (ankle), defensive end Dwight Freeney (abdominal) and defensive tackles Fili Moala (ankle) and Drake Nevis (back) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. QB Collins (concussion) and linebacker Ernie Sims (knee) were limited, and tight end Brody Eldridge (knee) and guards Mike Pollak (arm) and Joe Reitz (ankle) were full participants.