Chiefs Center Returns to Practice While Two Safeties Are Absent

by Joel Thorman on Nov 2, 2009 3:16 PM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

Kansas City Chiefs center Rudy Niswanger was a surprise return to practice this afternoon. Niswanger was carted off the field last week against the San Diego Chargers. Per Josh Looney, there are reports out there that it was a MCL sprain, which is the same injury that caused Matt Cassel to miss week one.

Depending on the severity, the injury usually takes 2-4 weeks to recover. Looney reports that Niswanger was "rather limited" on the field.

Looney also reports that both of the Chiefs free safeties, Jon McGraw and Jarrad Page, were absent from practice.

McGraw is still recovering from a leg strain last week. His timetable isn't known at this point. Page had a shoulder injury a few weeks ago but the reason for his absence isn't entirely known at this point (Update 4:15 PM: Haley says it's an injury, updates coming).

With the safeties out, nickelback Maurice Leggett and Ricky Price filled in. Price was signed to the practice squad last week.

Branden Albert was back on the field, as well, and appears ready to finally play this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As Looney points out, today is sort of a bonus day. Usually the Chiefs don't practice until Wednesdays, but with no game yesterday they're getting a jump start.

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we need a jump start

just about everywhere on the team. i felt good going into the SD game coming off a win and Haley saying they had their best practice the Friday before but hopefully this bye week has done some good. I guess we will all have to wait and see Sunday, the Jags just got beat by Tenn. and struggle with poor teams, maybe we catch a break!

by jrcnc on Nov 2, 2009 3:25 PM CST reply actions

How about giving Morgan a shot at safety, rather than moving over a CB?

by dablueguy on Nov 2, 2009 3:40 PM CST reply actions

He has a shot

at strong safety, which is his position

McGraw and Page are the free safeties

* "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 Nov 2, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions

Looney reports that Niswanger was “rather limited” on the field.
Isn’t Rudy always rather limited on the field? I’d rather see Wade Smith get a full shot at the C job, before we decide we need a new one.

by dablueguy on Nov 2, 2009 3:43 PM CST reply actions

wade smith has been decent but we still need to draft a C

and make sure he is here for a LONG time, i mean if we wanna keep Cassel alive and all!

by jrcnc on Nov 2, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions

Pollard

My co-workers here in Houston sure are giving me a hard time about Pollard. They are crediting him with single-handedly rejuvenating their secondary. It’s hard to argue with their recent success.

Maybe we didn’t need him, but clearly the guy had some trade value. I just don’t get the release? Seeing our current safety situation, I’d sure like to have Pollard on the team again…

by mls21 on Nov 2, 2009 4:21 PM CST reply actions

They did, in fact, try to trade him. But he never should have been released, let alone lose his starting position to Mike Brown.

by dablueguy on Nov 2, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions

That's ture

You’re right, I do recall them attempting to trade him at the time. I think most of us on here questioned it. It just seems like we have been proven correct that it was a mistake.

by mls21 on Nov 2, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

Especially in the manner they are playing McGraw

Pollard up as a LB in nickle would be fine.

Predictions for 2009:

**LJ runs for 1800 yards**

LJ breaks Chiefs all time rushing record at home and some idiot in a red #31 jersey jumps out of the stands to try to stop him and gets trucked. It wasn't Priest but instead someone who cares more about the record than Priest does

**Bowe in the pro bowl**

Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.

**Chiefs D finishes in the top 10 in points allowed**

The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays

Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for

**Chiefs 10-6**

Chiefs 6-10

by bonesjackson on Nov 2, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions