Chiefs vs. Cardinals: WR Dexter McCluster Out Again

by Joel Thorman on Nov 21, 2010 10:40 AM CST in Who Powered Through

The Kansas City Chiefs are not at full health against the Arizona Cardinals today. The Chiefs have already ruled out two players -- TE Tony Moeaki and S Jon McGraw -- and have listed five others as questionable. The inactive report has the names of the eight players that are not playing today.

Inactives: WR Dexter McCluster, CB Jackie Bates, FB Mike Cox, S Jon McGraw, LB Charlie Anderson, LB Justin Cole, TE Tony Moeaki and NT Anthony Toribio.

That's about what we expected with McCluster as the only question mark.

Here are three things to know about the injury report:

Dexter McCluster is gone again. This is the fourth consecutive game he's missed and the Chiefs offense will have to find a way to make big plays without him.

Both guards are playing. No need for reserve G Jon Asamoah today. Both Waters and Lilja are active. Even if one of them goes down, Asamoah can handle the duties. This position isn't of high concern.

Kendrick Lewis holding down safety. Lewis is active while McGraw is inactive for the second game. Lewis should be able to hold his own there.

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Good, bad, ugly

Good: Toribio out
Bad: McGraw and Cox out
Ugly: McCluster’s injury

The guys on ESPN were saying this morning that Pierre Thomas was thought to have a high ankle sprain and it turned out to be a torn tendon. I really hope that’s not the case.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Nov 21, 2010 10:43 AM CST reply actions

You'd think the Saints would have access to an MRI machine

Thats like saying: "Sure you didn’t get a hummer from Jessica Alba, but at least you got anally raped from Shaquille O’neil" --- Craig in Calgary

by averagegatsby on Nov 21, 2010 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

Apparently not.

"I don't know if I want to go to New York. They'll have to pay me a lot more money because I like it here in Kansas City." -- Roger Maris

by KaloPhoenix on Nov 21, 2010 11:04 AM CST up reply actions

Could be ugly offensively

With Moeaki and Dex out, it could be a long day for Bowe. During passing downs and redzone, he’ll see a constant double team.

Also, I see the running game being greatly affected with those two out and both Waters and Lilja being banged up. The Cards will not respect Cassel and the passing game and stack 8-9 in the box at times. Without the edge blocking of Moeaki, I could see the Chiefs struggling some to run effectively.

The defense will need to step up big time today. Turnovers and sacks will be the name of the game if we want to win. I’m looking for DJ, Hali, and Berry to have a big day. Hopefully Carr can hold his own against Fitz today.

by Larryemcdaniel on Nov 21, 2010 10:47 AM CST via mobile reply actions

No surprise.

After missing this much time, anyone thinking McCluster is going to play during a week in which he had limited practices, is just being naive. At this point, if he can’t practice in full, he’s not going to play. I think the only reason he hasn’t been listed as out, was to force teams to prepare for him a little bit.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 10:51 AM CST reply actions

I'm just Glad Lewis is back

I wish McCluster and Moeaki were playing too but Lewis is almost a lynchpin for the Defense. It’ll be a long day offensively, but defensively we’ve at least got all of our starters.

by ChiefWarPaint on Nov 21, 2010 10:59 AM CST reply actions

Yes, time for him to earn that HOF status AP'ers have bestowed upon him.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:01 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Earn it?

He already has! Haven’t you been seeing him play this year? The defense just seems to play so much better when he’s in, therefore he’s pretty much Polamalu! Me, I’m putting in my vote for Kendrick Lewis on the all-decade team.

by Pooterius on Nov 21, 2010 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

Lolz

You guys sound like Faider and Donkey fans LMAO. Heres an analogy our defense is like a well oiled machine, but when one of the screws isn’t on the whole shits gonna blow up. We just don’t have the depth to survive with the starters gone.

by ChiefWarPaint on Nov 21, 2010 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

I'm confused.

Are you saying Faider and Donkey fans don’t put players in the Hall of Fame based on small sample sizes, just because the team seems to do better without them?

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

Good point.

How can I argue with that logic?

I think Canton should already be getting his bust ready.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:39 AM CST up reply actions

Oh absolutely.

At this stage I don’t see how he isn’t a first balloter. Hell, they might just even remove the 5-years-retired rule just for him.

by Pooterius on Nov 21, 2010 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

If not for him, who?

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

all of that is so funny

people just were moreso saying that if mcgraw is out, we need lewis…there is a serious drop off when you go to starting washington, but more than that, there is a HUGE depth issue…

I just dont understand when people claimed he was some pro bowler…hes moreso talented depth and a rookie starter who will improve.

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Nov 21, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Just look to the right of this page.

Some people claim he was the first half MVP, not really based on what he did, but rather, what the team did without him (which may or may not be coincidence).

Hey, I hope he’s as great a some people think. But I can’t help but think he’s been the poster child for everything that’s gone wrong with this defense. That is, his absence has given everyone an excuse for the defense faltering.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:48 AM CST up reply actions

Thank God we had our bye week in week 4

Thats like saying: "Sure you didn’t get a hummer from Jessica Alba, but at least you got anally raped from Shaquille O’neil" --- Craig in Calgary

by averagegatsby on Nov 21, 2010 11:01 AM CST reply actions

No shit.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

But at least it got us back T-Jax and O'Cal...

Oh wait!

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

But at least it helped us beat Indy and Houston...

Oh wait!

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

Dex..

I feel bad for him, but this is getting a bit ridiculous. Maybe he should have been in a boot for the last few weeks. This is beginning to sound like a misdiagnosis or mismanagement of the injury. Either way, it is having a profound impact on the team. Get better Dex, you were the only dynamic offseason addition to the offense and you are greatly needed.

by chiefjustice on Nov 21, 2010 11:06 AM CST reply actions

That or it sounds like a high ankle sprain.

A boot is only going to help so much. You’d still have to rehab it, and that often takes time. A lot of time.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

Bad

A bad ankle sprain is actually harder to heal than a broken bone. And with the moves and quickness, that Dex has, it’s just that more important and crucial that he’s close to 100%. He’ll be back when healthy and hopefully sooner than later.

by cowboyChief on Nov 21, 2010 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

sucks, a bad high ankle sprain is like turf toe...its really tough to get past

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Nov 21, 2010 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

From what i know

A high ankle sprain is a slight tear of the tendon. At least that is what was told to me when I had one in high school. Without big time treatment and doctors, I felt that high ankle sprain for 9 months. I missed a couple games due to it as well. Its one of the worst feelings when playing football.

by Larryemcdaniel on Nov 21, 2010 11:13 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I'm glad that K. Lew is back!

I’m tired of ~~Mike Brown~~ back there!

Jamaal Charles...Enough said.

Picks
85-59

by Chiefsfan85 on Nov 21, 2010 11:21 AM CST reply actions

No Cox?

by danmang on Nov 21, 2010 11:27 AM CST reply actions

UGHHHHH THIS IS FRUSTRATING NEWS.

Next year gotta draft another Dex type guy, Or a deep threat WR. Need some more depth. At least Lewis is back.

Would ya like a free NANAA!

by Jazzy Megalodon on Nov 21, 2010 11:28 AM CST reply actions

Blackmon is my hopeful!

sign me some Steve Smith and BAM! We’ve got some WR’s! Glad Lewis is back too, hope he can make it thru the day, so much better than Washinton and Langford…

" That was a cajun run! Flew Bayou!" - Dexter McCluster

by shotty on Nov 21, 2010 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

Blackmon is a soph

I’m more hopeful for AJ green to slip and sign steve smith or trade for fitz.

by Larryemcdaniel on Nov 21, 2010 11:49 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I think we will miss Moeaki more than anyone today...hes always in there blocking...pope must step up

Team Pioli/Haley. Decade of the Chiefs.
Team Colquitt

by SDChief on Nov 21, 2010 11:47 AM CST reply actions

Agreed.

It’s time to put the McCluster excuse to bed. The Chiefs didn’t have him last year, and haven’t had him a good deal of this year. He would certainly make them better, but we can’t keep using him as an excuse. Moeaki, OTOH, has been a valuable part of the offense the entire year, so his absence will certainly be felt. The Chiefs are used to playing without McCluster.

I have an inferiority complex, but it's not a very good one.

by Tarkus on Nov 21, 2010 11:52 AM CST up reply actions