Early Indications Are That Injured Chiefs LB Vrabel Will Sit, Studebaker Will Start

by Joel Thorman on Nov 19, 2009 4:21 PM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

I don't have any inside information on this but from many accounts it's looking like LB Mike Vrabel will not play for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He's hit an injury patch the last two weeks and both sides might figure it's best to take a game off.

Bob Gretz reports that it's doubtful Vrabel will be available to play against the Steelers on Sunday. Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star said, "Mike Vrabel didn't practice again today. I'd count him out for Sunday. And the next Sunday. And maybe the next Sunday, too."

If that's the case, Andy Studebaker would take his spot.

Interesting fact: Studebaker signed with the Chiefs exactly one year ago today. Happy....signing day?

Vrabel was listed on the injury report last week for a hip injury but still started against the Raiders. Midway through the third quarter he came out for some sort of knee injury. Studebaker took his spot for the rest of the game.

He did a good job in place of Vrabel, considering the circumstances. He admits to a few mistakes in his quarter and a half of action.

"You are never as good as you think you are and never as bad as you think you are," Studebaker said via BobGretz.com. "I left the game and thought I fit in the defense pretty well, but at the same time I made some mistakes too. This week, I’m working on minimizing those."

In other linebacker news, Justin Rogers was listed as a limited participant in today's practice with a thigh injury and LB David Herron was back on the field after missing practice and the game last week with a knee injury.

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why does Babb think he’s out for 3+ weeks?

* "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
* Stats are for losers

by stagdsp on Nov 19, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions

I am interested to see what Studi can do

brother had 6 tackles in a quarter and a half last week! Vrabel had 7 tackles in week one and hasn’t had more tha 5 tackles in a game since.

Vrabel isn’t the future. We are 2-7. Studabaker has been learning from him. Let’s see what the kids got.

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

by Patrick Allen on Nov 19, 2009 4:50 PM CST reply actions

+1

Its not like the season is on the line so this is a good opportunity to see what we have in this kid since Vrabel isnt the longterm answer. Wouldnt be shocked to see Vrabel on the sideline “coaching” him either.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on Nov 19, 2009 7:00 PM CST up reply actions