Tribal Warfare
09-25-2009, 12:01 AM
Chiefs notebook | Derrick Johnson says he won’t play Sunday (http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1467739.html)
By KENT BALL
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said Thursday that he won’t play against Philadelphia because of a nagging groin injury that forced him to leave Sunday’s game against Oakland.
The team listed him as limited in Thursday’s practice, indicating that he’d be questionable to play against the Eagles, but Johnson said there was little doubt he’d be on the sideline. And he said it was more disappointing because of his performances in the Chiefs’ first two games, when he had an interception and a sack — perhaps his best two-game stretch since Kansas City drafted him in the first round in 2005.
“Bad timing,” Johnson said. “It’s always bad timing if you’re hurt.”
The timing was worse because Johnson, who was demoted to reserve linebacker late in the preseason, seemed to be regaining coach Todd Haley’s faith. Johnson had been benched after suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason, and he spent time with the Chiefs’ third-team defense, a steep drop for one of Kansas City’s longest-tenured defenders and a player the team expected to be an impact player this season.
He said his groin muscle had been tight recently and it took a turn for the worse Sunday.
Johnson said he expected to travel to Philadelphia with the Chiefs and hoped to return to practice next week.
Dorsey says he notices improved conditioning
Second-year defensive end Glenn Dorsey said that he has begun noticing a difference since Haley emphasized a tough conditioning program in the offseason. It was a program that Dorsey didn’t immediately respond well to.
Dorsey needed several days to pass a mandatory conditioning test before being allowed to join his teammates at practices during training camp. Dorsey, the Chiefs’ top draft pick last year, spent nearly a week on a side field, working on a stationary bike and lugging equipment before finally practicing.
Dorsey said that, despite the rough start, he’s in better shape and that it has begun to pay dividends.
“He (Haley) has been preaching to me since I got here,” Dorsey said, “that I’ve got to lose some weight and get in shape. I’m getting closer and closer, and I’m seeing a difference on the field.”
He had four solo tackles and batted down a pass in last week’s 13-10 loss against Oakland.
“I did OK,” he said. “I’ve still got a lot of things I’ve got to work on, too. Everything is headed in the right direction.”
Chiefs hope to stop Vick and wildcat
Dorsey said the Chiefs won’t be taken by surprise if Philadelphia runs offensive plays out of the wildcat formation. The team also will be ready, Dorsey said, if Michael Vick makes an appearance.
According to reports, Vick is expected to play Sunday, his first game since having his eligibility restored after a prison sentence and a suspension for his part in a dogfighting ring.
Dorsey said Vick’s past isn’t the Chiefs’ concern. Stopping him, however, is.
“If he’s in the game, we’re going to be ready for it,” Dorsey said. “We go through it enough in practice. You’ve got to have your adjustments ready and just line up in the right spots, and you’ll be all right.”
Texans sign Pollard
The Houston Texans have signed former Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, who started all 16 games last year but was waived before the start of this season.
Pollard’s position coach with the Chiefs was David Gibbs, now the defensive-backfield coach in Houston.
Injury report
Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was limited in Thursday’s practice because of a leg injury, Haley said.
“I’m hopeful that will clear up,” Haley said.
Quarterback Matt Cassel (knee), cornerback Brandon Flowers (shoulder), tight end Jake O’Connell (ankle) and left guard Brian Waters (ankle) also were limited Thursday.
For Philadelphia, wide receiver DeSean Jackson (groin), running back Brian Westbrook (ankle) and quarterback Donovan McNabb (rib) did not practice. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) and safety Quintin Demps (hamstring) were limited.
By KENT BALL
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson said Thursday that he won’t play against Philadelphia because of a nagging groin injury that forced him to leave Sunday’s game against Oakland.
The team listed him as limited in Thursday’s practice, indicating that he’d be questionable to play against the Eagles, but Johnson said there was little doubt he’d be on the sideline. And he said it was more disappointing because of his performances in the Chiefs’ first two games, when he had an interception and a sack — perhaps his best two-game stretch since Kansas City drafted him in the first round in 2005.
“Bad timing,” Johnson said. “It’s always bad timing if you’re hurt.”
The timing was worse because Johnson, who was demoted to reserve linebacker late in the preseason, seemed to be regaining coach Todd Haley’s faith. Johnson had been benched after suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason, and he spent time with the Chiefs’ third-team defense, a steep drop for one of Kansas City’s longest-tenured defenders and a player the team expected to be an impact player this season.
He said his groin muscle had been tight recently and it took a turn for the worse Sunday.
Johnson said he expected to travel to Philadelphia with the Chiefs and hoped to return to practice next week.
Dorsey says he notices improved conditioning
Second-year defensive end Glenn Dorsey said that he has begun noticing a difference since Haley emphasized a tough conditioning program in the offseason. It was a program that Dorsey didn’t immediately respond well to.
Dorsey needed several days to pass a mandatory conditioning test before being allowed to join his teammates at practices during training camp. Dorsey, the Chiefs’ top draft pick last year, spent nearly a week on a side field, working on a stationary bike and lugging equipment before finally practicing.
Dorsey said that, despite the rough start, he’s in better shape and that it has begun to pay dividends.
“He (Haley) has been preaching to me since I got here,” Dorsey said, “that I’ve got to lose some weight and get in shape. I’m getting closer and closer, and I’m seeing a difference on the field.”
He had four solo tackles and batted down a pass in last week’s 13-10 loss against Oakland.
“I did OK,” he said. “I’ve still got a lot of things I’ve got to work on, too. Everything is headed in the right direction.”
Chiefs hope to stop Vick and wildcat
Dorsey said the Chiefs won’t be taken by surprise if Philadelphia runs offensive plays out of the wildcat formation. The team also will be ready, Dorsey said, if Michael Vick makes an appearance.
According to reports, Vick is expected to play Sunday, his first game since having his eligibility restored after a prison sentence and a suspension for his part in a dogfighting ring.
Dorsey said Vick’s past isn’t the Chiefs’ concern. Stopping him, however, is.
“If he’s in the game, we’re going to be ready for it,” Dorsey said. “We go through it enough in practice. You’ve got to have your adjustments ready and just line up in the right spots, and you’ll be all right.”
Texans sign Pollard
The Houston Texans have signed former Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard, who started all 16 games last year but was waived before the start of this season.
Pollard’s position coach with the Chiefs was David Gibbs, now the defensive-backfield coach in Houston.
Injury report
Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was limited in Thursday’s practice because of a leg injury, Haley said.
“I’m hopeful that will clear up,” Haley said.
Quarterback Matt Cassel (knee), cornerback Brandon Flowers (shoulder), tight end Jake O’Connell (ankle) and left guard Brian Waters (ankle) also were limited Thursday.
For Philadelphia, wide receiver DeSean Jackson (groin), running back Brian Westbrook (ankle) and quarterback Donovan McNabb (rib) did not practice. Wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) and safety Quintin Demps (hamstring) were limited.