Chiefs Chiefs’ Justin Houston suffers head/neck injury but is okay - Reid

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-07-2013, 11:24 PM

Chiefs’ Justin Houston suffers head/neck injury
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston “took a shot” to the head and neck in Sunday’s victory at Tennessee, coach Andy Reid said Monday.

Houston, the Chiefs’ sack leader with 8 1/2 and AFC defensive player of the month for September, did not miss a defensive play in the game.

“He seems to be OK,” Reid said Monday.

• Wide receiver Donnie Avery suffered a shoulder contusion when landing at the end of a 41-yard reception, and Reid said, “We’ll see how he does in the next couple of days.”

• As for other injured players who missed Sunday’s game, offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who is recovering from a concussion, is being tested and going through the NFL protocol; tight end Travis Kelce is still dealing with a bone bruise on his knee; and tight end Anthony Fasano is making progress with a sprained ankle, but Reid said, “if we had to practice (Monday), he wouldn’t be able to practice.”

Goal-line stand

Reid cited the Chiefs’ second-quarter goal-line stand as critical to the win over Tennessee, and not just because of the seven points the defense kept off the board.

“Defensively, our guys established an attitude early,” Reid said. “Even though (Tennessee) was able to get in a little bit of a flow in the second half, we were able to put an end to that and finish strong.

“When your defense plays that well, highlighted by the goal-line stand … when you come out with that kind of attitude, it’s infectious to everybody. You saw it led to a long drive after that, and I thought it actually helped get the offense going a little bit there.”

Reid’s take on Smith hit

The game at Tennessee turned on a 15-yard penalty against the Titans for unnecessary roughness when Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith — who was scrambling to the sideline — was hit 3 yards short of a first down on third and 5.

A similar hit on Chiefs punt returner Dexter McCluster drew a penalty flag, but it was picked up when it was ruled he was still in the field of play.

Is there a double standard for running backs and receivers versus quarterbacks?

“There are rules put in to protect the quarterback,” Reid said. “Now the run game has become a little more prevalent at the quarterback position … it isn’t quite as cut and dried once they get outside of the tackle box and become a runner. Once they become a runner, they’re a runner.

“If you’re going out of bounds, it wouldn’t have mattered if it’s a running back, a tight end, a wide receiver, if you’re going out of bounds and somebody comes full speed at you, they’re probably going to call it. It’s a bang-bang call by the officials. But as long as the quarterback is working his way out of bounds … if his foot’s in the air going out of bounds. I’d probably tell you he’s out of bounds.

“I thought the officials made the right call.”

10-07-2013, 11:24 PM	Topic Starter
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	Chiefs’ Justin Houston suffers head/neck injury but is okay - Reid Chiefs’ Justin Houston suffers head/neck injury By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston “took a shot” to the head and neck in Sunday’s victory at Tennessee, coach Andy Reid said Monday. Houston, the Chiefs’ sack leader with 8 1/2 and AFC defensive player of the month for September, did not miss a defensive play in the game. “He seems to be OK,” Reid said Monday. • Wide receiver Donnie Avery suffered a shoulder contusion when landing at the end of a 41-yard reception, and Reid said, “We’ll see how he does in the next couple of days.” • As for other injured players who missed Sunday’s game, offensive tackle Eric Fisher, who is recovering from a concussion, is being tested and going through the NFL protocol; tight end Travis Kelce is still dealing with a bone bruise on his knee; and tight end Anthony Fasano is making progress with a sprained ankle, but Reid said, “if we had to practice (Monday), he wouldn’t be able to practice.” Goal-line stand Reid cited the Chiefs’ second-quarter goal-line stand as critical to the win over Tennessee, and not just because of the seven points the defense kept off the board. “Defensively, our guys established an attitude early,” Reid said. “Even though (Tennessee) was able to get in a little bit of a flow in the second half, we were able to put an end to that and finish strong. “When your defense plays that well, highlighted by the goal-line stand … when you come out with that kind of attitude, it’s infectious to everybody. You saw it led to a long drive after that, and I thought it actually helped get the offense going a little bit there.” Reid’s take on Smith hit The game at Tennessee turned on a 15-yard penalty against the Titans for unnecessary roughness when Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith — who was scrambling to the sideline — was hit 3 yards short of a first down on third and 5. A similar hit on Chiefs punt returner Dexter McCluster drew a penalty flag, but it was picked up when it was ruled he was still in the field of play. Is there a double standard for running backs and receivers versus quarterbacks? “There are rules put in to protect the quarterback,” Reid said. “Now the run game has become a little more prevalent at the quarterback position … it isn’t quite as cut and dried once they get outside of the tackle box and become a runner. Once they become a runner, they’re a runner. “If you’re going out of bounds, it wouldn’t have mattered if it’s a running back, a tight end, a wide receiver, if you’re going out of bounds and somebody comes full speed at you, they’re probably going to call it. It’s a bang-bang call by the officials. But as long as the quarterback is working his way out of bounds … if his foot’s in the air going out of bounds. I’d probably tell you he’s out of bounds. “I thought the officials made the right call.”
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