Babb: McCluster’s status is unknown

[Tribal Warfare]

McCluster’s status is unknown
By KENT BABB
The Kansas City Star

Chiefs rookie wide receiver Dexter McCluster, who didn’t practice this week, was listed Friday as questionable for Sunday’s game against Buffalo.

McCluster injured an ankle in last week’s victory against Jacksonville and was limited in practice each day this week. He had been playing catch or standing around during the portion of workouts that reporters are allowed to see. On Friday, the team practiced at Arrowhead Stadium, and McCluster was on a stationary bike near a sideline.

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis wouldn’t say whether McCluster might play against the Bills, saying the Chiefs would make do with whoever is available.

“Whatever 45 we’re dealt, that’s who we’re dealing with,” Weis said. “My job is not to talk about personnel. There’s guys that miss time in practice. That’s just part of football. Guys get banged up, and the next guy steps in. That’s the way it goes.”

If McCluster is unable to play, the Chiefs could activate veteran receiver Chris Chambers, who didn’t play the last two weeks because of a dislocated left ring finger.

Lilja returns to full participation

Chiefs right guard Ryan Lilja was a full participant Friday, but he’s still questionable because of a hand injury. Lilja wasn’t with the first-team offensive line during position drills; rookie Jon Asamoah worked with the starting unit.

Weis remembers Notre Dame student

Weis said Friday that he worked two years alongside Declan Sullivan, the Notre Dame student who died this week in an accident at a Fighting Irish football practice.

Sullivan, 20, was filming a practice Wednesday when the hydraulic lift he was stationed in was blown over by strong wind. Sullivan was mourned Thursday at a Mass on the Notre Dame campus.

Weis, the Irish’s football coach for five seasons, said he knew Sullivan and expressed condolences Friday to the young man’s family.

“It’s an awful tragedy,” Weis said, “and I know that my family, we’ve been a little bit in the tank over this for a couple days now. Obviously the Weis family thoughts and prayers are with Declan’s family and the whole Notre Dame family in addition. It’s just awful.”

Haley shares Jones insight

Coach Todd Haley told a story Friday afternoon about the hours after the Chiefs’ loss at Houston on Oct. 17. It was a tough one, a 35-31 defeat in which the Chiefs blew a double-digit lead.

On the flight back to Kansas City, Haley made his way toward players’ seats. He noticed running back Thomas Jones watching a DVD of a high school game that his brother, Julius Jones, played in during the late 1990s.

“This is what cheers me up,” Jones told Haley.

On Friday, Haley was still struck by what he saw on the plane.

“That’s pretty unique,” the coach said, “and it tells you so much about the guy.

“Of all the options to keep your mind active after a difficult loss, he said, ‘This is what gets me in a good mood when I’m down.’ It’s his brother playing from the ’90s. He’s got DVD after DVD. And he’s rewinding it, watching runs. I mean, amazing.”

Other injuries

Chiefs safety Reshard Langford (ankle) was limited Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday.

For Buffalo, offensive tackle Cornell Green (knee) is out; cornerback Terrence McGee (back), linebacker Keith Ellison (knee) and free safety Jairus Byrd (thigh) are questionable. Tackle Demetrius Bell (knee) is probable.