Struggling Chiefs' injuries woes keeping piling up

    2012-10-05 03:11

(Eds: Updates.)
By DAVE SKRETA
AP Sports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Romeo Crennel shuffled into the small interview room, settled into a chair behind a table holding a couple of microphones, and launched into what's become his usual routine.

``All right,'' Crennel said, ``I'm going to start with our injuries.''

And with that, Crennel started the roll call.

Peyton Hillis was out with an ankle injury. Glenn Dorsey a calf injury. Jon Baldwin, Jalil Brown and Devon Wylie with hamstring troubles. Derrick Johnson a sore groin, Ropati Pitoitua an elbow injury, Kendrick Lewis an ailing shoulder and Ryan Lilja a bad back.

Just what the Chiefs (1-3) don't need heading into Sunday's game against Baltimore.

``We've got a good football team coming into town,'' Crennel said Thursday, ``I think we're probably the only ones who think we've got a chance. So we're going to work our preparation and continue our preparation to try to get it ready to play.''

The only problem is that it's hard to prepare when there are eight guys missing from practice, and a couple more who are limited. It reached the point this week that Crennel had to ponder throwing practice squad defensive end Jerome Long in with the starters for lack of able bodies.

The most loathed three letters in Kansas City these days? DNP, as in, did not participate.

``The guys who can practice will practice and the ones who are limited will be limited and we'll go from there,'' said Crennel, who also had to put tight end Kevin Boss - one of the Chiefs' main offseason acquisitions - on season-ending injured reserve this week with a head injury.

By comparison, the Ravens (3-1) had just two players on this week's injury report.

It's hard to decide which of the Chiefs' injuries are the most debilitating, which players the most difficult to replace. Six players on the report are starters, most of the rest of them key contributors, including Pitoitua, who started last Sunday's game in Dorsey's place.

Hillis hurt his ankle two weeks ago against New Orleans and hasn't practiced since, putting more of the load in the ground game on Jamaal Charles and Shaun Draughn.

Dorsey injured his left calf before last week's game against San Diego, the game in which Pitoitua got hurt. Johnson has been dealing with a number of bumps and bruises this season, but the Pro Bowl linebacker's latest appears to be the most severe.

``He'll be out there in practice,'' Crennel said, ``but I don't think he's going to do much.''

Not exactly encouraging, huh?

Baldwin hurt his hamstring in practice this week, and Crennel said it would be taped and he would give it a go in Thursday's workout. Baldwin has 10 catches for 148 yards this season.

Lewis hasn't played all year after hurting his shoulder in an exhibition game at St. Louis.

Brown struggled earlier this season with a groin injury, and now he's missing time because of a hamstring. His injury robs Kansas City of some valuable depth behind Brandon Flowers, the team's best cover cornerback, who aggravated a heel injury against San Diego that had already caused him to miss most of training camp and the start of the regular season.

``He had to come out for, I think, a couple series and then he came back in and finished up,'' Crennel said before Thursday's practice. ``He was out there (Tuesday) and started off and began to feel worse, so then we took him off and let him rehab.''

Crennel doesn't know for sure whether any of the injured Chiefs players will be around for Sunday's game against Baltimore, though it's a good bet that several will try to play.

One thing is certain: The Ravens aren't going to feel sorry for them.

``We cannot feel sorry for ourselves,'' Crennel said. ``Even though we don't like it, where we are, how we got where we are, we can't feel sorry for ourselves, that woe's-me syndrome. We have to get ourselves mentally ready, because we have a good football team coming in.''

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Dwayne HarrisMay 23 10:14a

Dallas Cowboys WR Dwayne Harris is considered the front-runner for the No. 3 wide receiver job behind WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, and it is believed WR Terrance [ More ]

Andy DaltonMay 23 10:04a

Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton has, during organized team activities, been focusing on improving the trajectory and accuracy of his throws while working with quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese. Dalton [ More ]

Louis MurphyMay 23 10:03a

New York Giants WR Rueben Randle is listed as the No. 3 receiver on the depth chart over WR Louis Murphy.

Jerrel JerniganMay 23 09:54a

New York Giants WR Jerrel Jernigan has shown progress as Victor Cruz remains absent from OTAs. WR Hakeem Nicks said his teammate has been adjusting well to the slot [ More ]

Thaddeus LewisMay 23 09:23a

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent WR Tori Gurley (Ravens) and waived QB Thaddeus Lewis.

Johnny JollyMay 23 08:22a

Green Bay Packers DE Johnny Jolly is expected to return to the team next week and begin participating in OTAs after completing a court-ordered drug treatment program.

Aaron CurryMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LB Aaron Curry admitted that the money he earned as a high draft pick changed him and he lost his motivation, ultimately leading to his trade [ More ]

Dan ConnorMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants LBs Mark Herzlich, Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers were the starting linebackers during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22, with LBs Dan Connor, Aaron Curry [ More ]

Chris SneeMay 22 11:53p

New York Giants C David Baas (undisclosed), OG Chris Snee (hip), CB Terrell Thomas (knee) and LB Jacquian Williams (knee) did not take part in team drills during organized [ More ]

Jason FoxMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions OT Jason Fox served as the first-team right tackle, and OT Riley Reiff worked as the first-team left tackle, Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs).

Chris GreenwoodMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions CB Chris Greenwood (abdominal) was able to practice Wednesday, May 22, during organized team activities (OTAs). He missed last season due to an abdominal injury.

Reggie BushMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions RB Reggie Bush was used as a punt returner during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. WR Terrence Austin, WR Patrick Edwards, RB Steven Miller, WR [ More ]

Nate BurlesonMay 22 11:53p

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions WR Nate Burleson (leg) showed quickness during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has also lost weight, dropping from 198 to 192 pounds to add speed.

Dylan GandyMay 22 11:53p

Detroit Lions C Dylan Gandy saw first-team reps during organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday, May 22. He has a chance to replace the departed OL Stephen Peterman (Jets), but [ More ]

Hakeem NicksMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks did not show up to practice Wednesday, May 22, because he is unhappy with his contract situation, a source indicated. Nicks did not [ More ]

Justin TuckMay 22 10:13p

New York Giants DE Justin Tuck, a free agent at season's end, said Wednesday, May 22, that he wasn't thinking about his future with the team, or how he [ More ]

Randy MossMay 22 08:33p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said the team isn't considering re-signing WR Randy Moss after learning that WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') tore his Achilles' Wednesday, May 22. [ More ]

Charles WoodsonMay 22 08:13p

Oakland Raiders CB Charles Woodson (collarbone) said he expects to play the same safety role he moved to with the Green Bay Packers late in his career. Also, he [ More ]

Michael VickMay 22 07:23p

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, who held onto the ball for an average of 3.07 seconds last year, will likely have to change in order to be successful in [ More ]

Mark SanchezMay 22 06:13p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said he was disappointed with QB Mark Sanchez after he threw three interceptions during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22. 'Yeah, it [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 05:53p

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said he does not think WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss the entire 2013 regular season.

Tim TebowMay 22 05:43p

Ron Jaworski, part owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League, said he is serious about his interest in signing free-agent QB Tim Tebow (Jets) to his [ More ]

Brandon GibsonMay 22 05:13p

Miami Dolphins WR Brandon Gibson lined up as the slot receiver when the team used three-receiver sets during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21.

Rokevious WatkinsMay 22 05:13p

St. Louis Rams OG Rokevious Watkins has been suspended for the first game of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's policy for substances of abuse.

Brent GrimesMay 22 05:03p

Miami Dolphins WR Brian Hartline, WR Brandon Gibson and CB Brent Grimes worked as punt returners during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Head coach Joe Philbin did not [ More ]

Aaron WilliamsMay 22 04:33p

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said FS Aaron Williams has done well in his transition from cornerback to safety. 'He's doing a nice job, and that's a difficult [ More ]

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating previous reports, San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') has undergone surgery to repair his torn Achilles' tendon.

Michael CrabtreeMay 22 04:13p

Updating a previous report, doctors believe San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (Achilles') will miss six months because of his torn Achilles' tendon. Doctors have recommended that Crabtree undergo surgery as soon as possible.

Jameel McClainMay 22 03:53p

Baltimore Ravens LB Jameel McClain (spine) and CB Lardarius Webb (knee) were limited to individual drills during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22.

Jeremy EbertMay 22 03:53p

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed free-agent WR Jeremy Ebert (Patriots). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. In a corresponding move, the team waived DT Jeris Pendleton.

Stephen HillMay 22 03:43p

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan said WR Stephen Hill (knee) did not participate in organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, because of swelling in his knee.

Mark SanchezMay 22 03:33p

New York Jets QBs Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith both struggled during organized team activities Wednesday, May 22, with Sanchez completing only six of his 11 passes, including three [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group