KC STAR - Kennison/Turley injury updates

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http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/308869.html

Chiefs’ offensive situation not ideal for Croyle’s first start
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Herm Edwards had only one piece of wisdom for his new starting quarterback last year when circumstances forced the Chiefs to play Damon Huard.

That advice: In times of trouble, hand the ball to Larry Johnson, and everything will be OK.

Edwards can’t give that same suggestion to Brodie Croyle, who will probably make the first start of his NFL career Sunday when the Chiefs play Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium.

Croyle might have a difficult time Sunday finding any friends other than Tony Gonzalez, who is off to a fast start, and Dwayne Bowe, who continues to make spectacular catches.

Otherwise, the situation is bleak. Johnson remains mired in a horrendous slump, the offensive line continues to have significant problems, and the Chiefs are scarcely scoring points.

They avoided a shutout Sunday against Jacksonville only on the game’s final play from scrimmage.

Edwards wanted a cushy starting spot for Croyle, his hand-picked quarterback of the future. Although Sunday’s game will be at home and it’s against the Bengals, who have one of the league’s most porous defensive teams, this situation is hardly ideal for a quarterback to make his starting debut.

“No doubt,” Edwards said. “If he’s going to have the opportunity to play, and we won’t know that until later this week, you’d like things functioning around him well. This last game, we had to throw the ball 43 times. You don’t want to do that. That kills you.

“It would be nice if we could run the football. We’ve got to be able to do that. It would also be nice if we weren’t down all the time. We haven’t scored a point in the first quarter.”

Publicly, Edwards held out the possibility Monday that Huard would play against the Bengals. He said he would receive results today of an MRI taken on Huard’s injured right shoulder.

“I’ll know more probably (today) or Wednesday whether he can throw or not,” Edwards said.

Huard was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 17-7 loss to the Jaguars. A source told The Star after the game that Huard wouldn’t be available to play against Cincinnati.

The Chiefs were last in the league in rushing and yards per carry and near the bottom in scoring, total offense and third-down efficiency.

None of that seemed to bother Croyle, who said the coaches haven’t told him whether he will start against Cincinnati.

“This is as good a time as any if they call my number,” he said. “You can’t pick your time. If this is the week, this is the week. You can’t start getting picky and start wishing we were rolling right now. It is what it is.”

Other than tailor some plays for Croyle’s skills, there’s little Edwards or offensive coordinator Mike Solari can do to help Croyle. Edwards hinted that the Chiefs might make some minor strategical changes, but he didn’t elaborate.

“The good thing is that we’ve got prideful guys,” Edwards said. “They don’t want to continue to go down this road.”

Edwards gave Croyle every chance to win the starting job during the preseason, but he played so miserably that Edwards had no choice but to go with Huard.

Croyle finished an early-season game in Chicago after Huard was hit in the head. Croyle led a drive that ended with a Michael Bennett fumble. Croyle also played for two possessions against Jacksonville. The Chiefs punted on one and scored a touchdown on Croyle’s 13-yard pass to Samie Parker on the other.


Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but the Chiefs are taking that as improvement.

“He’s been in games, and that’s good,” Edwards said. “He’s had to throw the ball. He’s been rushed. People have come after him. He was able to make some plays. He’s made a vast improvement since the preseason between the things we’ve seen in practice and the two games he’s been in. He’s been in a couple of games now and it’s a little window, but he’s had some success. That’s good for him. He feels confident. It’s a positive step.”

Croyle looked ready for a break after a preseason in which he threw three ill-advised interceptions. He indicated the time off, as well as the limited playing time against the Bears and Jaguars, was beneficial.

“The thing about playing quarterback is that you’d better be confident in yourself,” he said. “As soon as you start second-guessing a throw, that’s when you’re going to get yourself in trouble. I feel better out there. I’m seeing things better. Things are starting to slow down.”

•KENNSION HURTING: Edwards said wide receiver Eddie Kennison, who aggravated a hamstring injury early in Sunday’s game, probably wouldn’t play against the Bengals. Edwards also said right tackle Kyle Turley, who didn’t play against Jacksonville, might return to practice this week and play against Cincinnati.