Chiefs C Niswanger Has Some Sort of 'Significant' Injury

by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 8:13 AM CDT in 2009 Campaign Comment 22 comments

Kansas City Chiefs center Rudy Niswanger injured his knee on a fourth down quarterback sneak in Sunday's loss to the San Diego Chargers. He was helped off the field and eventually taken away to the locker room in a cart. As he tried to walk, even a couple of steps, you could tell he was in pain.

Head coach Todd Haley confirmed after the game that it was a knee injury.

"Rudy is having his knee looked at as we speak," Haley told reporters yesterday, "and we will know more about that injury later. It’s a significant injury of some sort but, hopefully, less significant than we initially thought."

The Chiefs are coming up on a bye week so if the injury is on the "less significant" side of things Niswanger will have two full weeks to heal.

"I can’t guarantee that," Haley said when asked if he could play at Jacksonville on November 8th, "but it didn’t look great initially."

Wade Smith, who was filling in for Branden Albert at left tackle, moved to center when Niswanger went down. If Niswanger is out for any extended period of time, Haley feels the team has options.

"Andy Alleman has played center and we have a practice squad player who has played a lot of center," Haley said. "We have some center options, Wade being one of them."

That practice squad player is Darryl Harris, who started nine games at center for the Ole Miss Rebels in 2005. The following years he played mainly right tackle and left guard but filled in at all spots on the offensive line.

If Niswanger is down for an extended period, then here are your center options: Wade Smith, Darryl Harris, Andy Alleman and/or some free agent.

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Hopefully Albert Can Go

He will have had 3 weeks to rehab his injury before the next game, we need to get him back.

But if he can’t, IMO we need to try Alleman at C and leave Smith a LT. I havent broken down any tape but he seemed to play better than BRICH did.

I also think we need to plug in Ndukwe at RG. Isnt this the reason The Don brought in these two guys anyways? We might as well see what they’ve got.

by dubhustle on Oct 27, 2009 8:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I am glad he mentioned Alleman

He should be given a shot at C
Ndukwe NEEDS to be given a shot at RG

When Albert is back, they have Richardson as the swing tackle… they can afford to move Ndukwe

* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season

by stagdsp on Oct 27, 2009 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They should try ME out zt RG

There is no way I could be worse than Goff. Just as bad? Maybe. Most probably. But not worse.

Please help send my girlfriend to Broadway! Visit http://magonbroadway.blogspot.com/

by Patrick Allen on Oct 27, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Maybe they can try me out….. I’m 5’10 and 245…. I’d be like an old bronco’s lineman… they said they wanted to zone block… by god…get some guys out there that can move…. I wonder if LJ would be a good RG??? at least let him take some abuse… ha

by callmesir on Oct 27, 2009 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I totally agree

2009-10 Predictions:
1. Chiefs will win ATLEAST 6 games, which is a big improvement over 6 wins in 2 seasons
2. Succop will bring stability to the K position for the first time in years
3. Chiefs D will atleast double the number of sacks form last season
4. Cassel will be a top 15 QB
5. Todd Haley won't make a poster and jump around holding it up welcoming the Chiefs players to summer camp, I mean TRAINING camp

by Chiefs_KC on Oct 27, 2009 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d like to see Smith back at LT until Albert comes back, Allerman at center, and why are we not using Ndukwe at RG instead of Goff?

by Chief-Eli on Oct 27, 2009 8:25 AM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I wish I said that

by dubhustle on Oct 27, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waters at C possible?

by NJ Chiefs Fan on Oct 27, 2009 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Guess it's possible

But I’d rather keep him at his best position. I don’t think he’s a significant upgrade at C over anyone else IMO.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Oct 27, 2009 8:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe if he has one hand on the football he will be able to hold less.

by saskwatch on Oct 27, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Albert is the best LT we have..thats the problem

Its the most important position on the line. Smith has filled in OK…but, he is not a good enough upgrade to move Albert to Gaurd.Probably wont see a change at LT til the offseason…

by KCinAZ on Oct 27, 2009 8:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We all know Goff is bad.

So Haley has to know it too, I would think he has tried other players out at RG. but yet Goff is still there, does that mean that Goff is really the best we have?

Chiefs set an NFL record,most roster changes in 1 season.

by bringbacktheglory on Oct 27, 2009 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it means

Goff isn’t as bad as some of you say. The weakest link on that O-Line went down Sunday.

by JohnNdallas on Oct 27, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best case

scenario imo (having never seen Alleman play Center and not knowing if he’s capable of calling all the blocking schemes) would be for Albert back at LT, and Smith stay at Center.

If Albert can’t go than start either Ndukwe or Richardson at LT which ever they think is better. This would be the least disruptive to the rotation.

by JohnNdallas on Oct 27, 2009 9:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

sometimes I frustrate myself playing the what if game...

AS much as I hate to admit it… the coaches probably know a bit more about football than I do, I’m sure they have tried guys out…. what scares me the most is that even with practice observations…. The line that started the year really might be our best line…

by callmesir on Oct 27, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Please end this nightmare fast

by golfbard on Oct 27, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If Albert cant go at RT

Then move O’Callaghan over there and start Ndukwe at RT, where he started a few games this season. It is curious that Ndukwe isn’t starting at RG considering the Goff isn’t good and Ndukwe supposedly played pretty well there for Miami.

If Niswanger cant go at Center, then put Wade Smith there.

Cry Havoc! And let slip the Chiefs Defense of War!!!

by nateforchiefs on Oct 27, 2009 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs