Report: Chiefs WR Devard Darling 'Likely' Out for the Year with Torn ACL

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 6:19 PM CDT in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is reporting that the injury to Kansas City Chiefs starting wide receiver Devard Darling is severe. So severe, in fact, that he's likely to miss the entire 2009 season.

Lost in the concern over Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel and cornerback Brandon Flowers is that receiver Devard Darling -- currently listed as a starter on the team's depth chart -- might be gone for the year.

Per a league source, Daling "likely" suffered a torn ACL on Saturday night against the Seahawks.

Wow. Darling left the game in the first half and had to be helped by two trainers as he exited the field and headed to the locker room.

(Photo courtesy David Eulitt of the Kansas City Star)

Darling was previously competing with Mark Bradley and Dwayne Bowe, among others, for a starting position. The Chiefs initial unofficial depth charts had him listed as a starter. However, to be fair, Terrance Copper was also listed as a starter and most would agree that he is a candidate to be cut in the next week.

If true, then this is just another example of the dangers of the NFL preseason. Darling, a player who some thought might not even make the team, will now receive an injury settlement from the Kansas City Chiefs should they decide to part ways with him.

In the long run it probably won't affect Matt Cassel and the Chiefs offense a great deal but this is not a position group that can afford to lose anyone, let alone one of the veterans.

So, who's the player that will replace Darling on the roster if he is indeed done for the year?

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Comments

H/T KC Shuffle

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Aug 30, 2009 6:21 PM CDT reply actions

That's it, Cancel the season!

Without Darling all is lost

by Aperture on Aug 30, 2009 6:21 PM CDT reply actions

Thought this was for Cassel

I was thinking " there goes our whole damn season!".
That’s why reading titles pays off.

The Don's gonna make you and offer you can't refuse.

by Haleystheman on Aug 30, 2009 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions

So who makes the team now ?

by tomahawk44 on Aug 30, 2009 6:22 PM CDT reply actions

Lelie should have had him beat for the starting spot anyway.

Regardless, it’s a shame and I hope he gets better. I still don’t really want him on our team though.

Good news about Cassel though. I definitely am glad to here that it’s not a season ender or anything crazy like that.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 30, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions

Darling contributed nothing to the receiving corps

and wrong as it sounds this was a blessing in disguise. I don’t take lightly any injuries or wish harm upon any players(friend or foe) but it is time the Chiefs and Devard part ways. Maybe this way he can earn himself a little more money than would have, but it sucks he won’t have the opportunity to catch on elsewhere this season

As for other receivers, I agree completely 100% with DJ when talking about Toomer last night. If he’s so god damn out of shape he can’t return to line of scrimmage in a hurry up drill then he belongs nowhere on this football team

Thank You Carl Peterson for drafting Dustin Colquitt

by KansasCityShuffle on Aug 30, 2009 6:25 PM CDT reply actions

The Chiefs

Darling'd

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 6:26 PM CDT up reply actions

At least he gave us that

Thank You Carl Peterson for drafting Dustin Colquitt

by KansasCityShuffle on Aug 30, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions

This doesn't change the way I saw the starting lineup at WR.

Bowe, Bradley, Lelie, Toomer, Engram, Either Lawrence or Wright.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 30, 2009 6:30 PM CDT reply actions

I was pleasantly suprised with Lelie.

He made some great plays during the game, and that was with Thigpen throwing “at” him. With a QB who can throw balls at their targets, he’ll do even better.

by EyePod on Aug 30, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Lelie is gonna be a great pickup for us.

I am stoked about that signing. When he gets comfortable, he will be a dangerous WR for us. Great hands and outstanding speed.

That poor guy has been on some really shitty offenses. He seems really excited to be here and could get back to his form from when he had Plummer throwing the ball to him.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 30, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Cassel can beat what Plummer did

So could Croyle if he could stay healthy, Lelie, Bowe and Bradley should tear it up, with Toomer to play possession, doesn’t matter who we have for #5 and #6 if we keep that many.

by mcclanahanman on Aug 30, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Just his comment that it is great to "Be in a real Offense" had me

and some time for learning the plays and routes and QB’s tendencies should make him #2 to Bowe. Oh and I really want to say how I fell about a legitimate #2 Rcvr on the Chiefs O.
Oh my 75 words are up, Damn

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe a poor man's Eddie Kennison?

by KCScuba on Aug 30, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

sucks for him

but, yeah, as 1970 says above…

the final WR list should be Bowe, Bradley, Lelie, Toomer, Engram, lawrence

UNLESS

they sign Lance Long or Early Doucet… then I wouldn’t mind seeing Engram go

"I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009

by stagdsp on Aug 30, 2009 6:34 PM CDT reply actions

A Long Doucet > Engram

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Darling did have a good preseason...

It’s a shame because he was probably in the best condition and having the best camp he’s ever had since coming into the league. That’s when its tough. I agree he’s not a starter in the NFL but he was battling it out for a top 5 roster spot for sure.

I wonder how much Haley and Pioli like him. If they’ll put him on the IR or buy him out with an injury settlement and let him go. I always like to see when a team hangs onto a guy to rehab to see what they get from the player when they return.

by cameltoeuchdowns on Aug 30, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

I appear callous

and I probably am a little. I don’t think Darling brought a whole lot to the Chiefs WR corp and the settlement is probably more than I will see in 2 years salary and then I can go back to bagging groceries.

Let's Kick some ASS in 09 or Die trying

by Steve_Chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions

i agree

by golfbard on Aug 30, 2009 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions

This sucks

Just we were hoping Haley would coach Darling up if he saw something there.

He had a TD yesterday if Bones doesn’t underthrow him.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Aug 30, 2009 7:02 PM CDT reply actions

Riiight

Thank You Carl Peterson for drafting Dustin Colquitt

by KansasCityShuffle on Aug 30, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Say what you will about Darling

He disappeared last year. However, Haley’s got a proven record on coaching and evaluating receivers.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Aug 30, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions

'Dissappeared'?

The guy has never “appeared” his entire NFL career

Thank You Carl Peterson for drafting Dustin Colquitt

by KansasCityShuffle on Aug 30, 2009 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly..

I knew things were bad when he was our “big” offseason pickup.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Yahtzee!!!

Penn State to Kansas City...Always a winning combination.

by YNinja on Aug 30, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

BRING IN MATT JOOOOOOOOONES

we need a guy for the red-zone besides bowe- why not work him out – #18 isnt taken by anybody. no one probably wants to hear me say this but, what the hell- what bad would come out of signing him?

by CHIEFER on Aug 30, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions

Cocaine's a helluva drug

But sure, how can you say no to this mustache?

Seriously, get him a bunk bed with Tim Krumrie and we’ll be good with it.

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Aug 30, 2009 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions

At this point

I really dont see the harm at this point… We need a legit #2… I think we have a rotation at #2 now and that just sucks!

by flyin_squirl on Aug 30, 2009 7:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Doesn't anyone realize that Matt Jones suckes....and he's a coke head.

We’re not going to pick him up,,,,get over it.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Enough

With the coke head crap. They’re off the field issues and he’s gotten them cleared up. For the love of God, like you’ve never done anything to bring shame upon yourself? Give the guy a chance.

Penn State to Kansas City...Always a winning combination.

by YNinja on Aug 30, 2009 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh don't get me wrong...

I love coke…It’s just that im not a NFL player…thats all.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions

So....

Any NFL player who’s ever been suspended for acting a fool off the field should not be allowed on the Chiefs? Goodbye Larry…

Penn State to Kansas City...Always a winning combination.

by YNinja on Aug 30, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions

It's really more about Matt Jones sucking....

The only reason he’s a hosehold name (the AP house) is because he’s been busted for drugs. The dude is a complete underperformer.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I wish...

our receivers underperformed to the tune of 65 catches in 12 games….

Penn State to Kansas City...Always a winning combination.

by YNinja on Aug 30, 2009 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah well our arent all jacked up on coke either...

haha had to throw that one in there…

should you be doing something else like keeping america from bad guys?

by chicks_love_chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions

what bad would come?

hmm…he could get all of our other receivers hooked on coke like happened with the jags. the question is, “did jimmy smith get matt hooked or did matt get jimmy hooked?”

by MountainManMike on Aug 31, 2009 3:43 AM CDT up reply actions

suckes = sucks

It’s been a long day driving back from that “football game” I watched at Arrowhead. I’m tired and cranky….I’m sorry.

by chicks_love_chiefs on Aug 30, 2009 8:02 PM CDT reply actions

Love the quotation marks. That's funny.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Aug 30, 2009 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm in the Matt Jones camp completely

But losing Darling is really no big deal. It sucks for him that he’s hurt and I hope he gets better, but the guy wasn’t a good reciever and probably wasn’t making this team. No hustle, no hands, and fringe average speed in my opinion. Good luck to him in healing from this. It’s a nasty thing to come back from.

Yes, I'm still alive. Sorry to disappoint you.

by royaldaddy on Aug 30, 2009 8:34 PM CDT reply actions