Chiefs coach Todd Haley said he never stopped having confidence in his kick returners, even as they struggled during the first two preseason games. Haley held back Javier Arenas, Dexter McCluster and Steve Breaston while a handful of fringe players were given chances.
Those players didn’t make a solid impression, and now Kansas City’s marquee returners are back in the spotlight.
“I’ve been evaluating off of everything that we’ve done in practice,” Haley said, “and having a pretty good idea of who the guys were that were going to be back there.”
Arenas stood out in the final preseason game, returning a kickoff 49 yards and averaging 29 yards for three kickoff returns. He has primarily been a punt returner, but Haley said there would be a “complete mix” among the team’s three returners, depending on each player’s work on either offense or defense. Arenas is a cornerback, and McCluster and Breaston are wide receivers.
Haley said another reason he held back the three returners in the preseason was they were still learning their other assignments.
“There was a lot going on there,” Haley said. “I feel good about our special teams in general.”
Chiefs add more versatility
Haley said the team brought in two new players this week in part because of their ability to play more than one position. Haley has emphasized this preference, saying versatile players would give the Chiefs more options when coaches have to fill out their 46-man game-day roster, leaving seven players inactive.
Kansas City added tight end Kyle Nelson, who’s also an experienced long snapper, to its practice squad Thursday. Earlier this week, the Chiefs were awarded tackle Steve Maneri on a waiver claim. Maneri, a 6-foot-6, 290-pounder, also has played tight end.
“You don’t see many 300-pounders playing tight end,” Haley said. “He’s athletic, and he can move around. He’s here to be a tackle, first and foremost.”
Injured Siler watches practice
Linebacker Brandon Siler, placed on injured reserve because of a leg injury two weeks after the Chiefs signed him, attended practice Thursday.
Siler tore the Achilles’ tendon in his left leg two weeks ago, ending his season. With his left lower leg heavily bandaged, Siler leaned on a mobile platform during his team’s practice. At one point, coach Todd Haley walked over to Siler and shook his hand.
Injury report
Quarterback Matt Cassel (rib) remained on the Chiefs’ injury report, but for the second consecutive day, he was listed as a full participant. Left guard Ryan Lilja also practiced fully after missing Wednesday’s workout because of a matter unrelated to injury. Rookie wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin (thumb) didn’t practice.
For Buffalo, linebacker Arthur Moats (knee) and nose tackle Torrell Troup (lower back) missed practice Thursday. Troup had been a limited practice participant a day earlier.
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