What a difference in only five weeks.

The Chiefs have been battling tons of injuries all season long and they seem to have slowed down a bit over the past few weeks. Even still, this weekend the Chiefs will likely field seven starters that did not start against the Chargers in Week 10. The starters who did play in Week 10 who may not play this weekend are bolded in the table above.

WR Mark Bradley is fighting a stingy calf injury that has kept him out the last two weeks and much of the game against the Buffalo Bills.

Center Rudy Niswanger again injured his knee in Week 13 and will likely be done for the year.

G Adrian Jones fully participated in practice yesterday after missing four games with a sprained ankle. He'll likely start actually, if Wade Smith moves to center to replace Rudy Niswanger.

RB Jamaal Charles started in place of the inactive Larry Johnson in Week 10. Larry will get the starting nod this week.

LBs Pat Thomas has missed the last four games and Donnie Edwards has missed the last three. Thomas participated fully in practice yesterday and Edwards was limited. Interestingly enough, the Chiefs only listed two linebackers in their starting line up last week.

DE Alfonso Boone has up to last weekend been starting for the Chiefs in the latter half of the season. He's a player who you never hear about anymore.

The Chargers will likely face seven or so new starters on the Chiefs' team that they didn't face in Week 10. That's one third of the starting lineup.

Advantages of having the new starters? Disadvantages? What new starter makes the most difference, good or bad?

Just a quick note in the middle of a very busy day for me:

No surprises here: Herm Edwards said defensive end Tamba Hali, linebackers Derrick Johnson and Pat Thomas, cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Pat Surtain and guard Adrian Jones would not play on Sunday against New Orleans at Arrowhead Stadium. That's five starters plus the third cornerback.

That leaves the Chiefs Donnie Edwards, Demorrio Williams, Erik Walden, Weston Dacus and Rocky Boiman at linebacker. Only Edwards and Wiliams were on the team at the beginning of the season.

via static.nfl.com

Newest Chief Rocky Boiman

Rocky Boiman

Boiman entered the league in 2002 as a 4th round draft choice by the Tennessee Titans.  His first four seasons were uneventful most seeing time on special teams.  Prior to the 2006 season he signed a 3-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys but was subsequently released the week before the season.  That led to his next stop, Indianapolis, where he enjoyed the most success.  He appeared in every game for two years getting a Super Bowl ring in 2006.

He was not resigned by the Colts but instead picked up by Philadelphia prior to the 2008 season.  Boiman was again cut the week before the season started and sent to the free agent list where he was sitting until the Chiefs signed him today.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Boiman looks to be somewhat promising.  He spent two years in Indy getting a decent amount of playing time so he'll get his shot this season.

Weston Dacus

Dacus saw time in all four of his years at Arkansas spending the last two as a starter.  He was an undrafted free agent signed by the Chiefs prior to the 2008 season.

Dacus is 6'1" 230 lbs. and has appeared in two games for the Chiefs this season.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Eh...he's got the makings of a practice squad or career reserve.  Nothing to get excited about.

Donnie Edwards

Edwards was drafted by the Chiefs in 1996 as a fourth rounder.  He enjoyed immense success in Kansas City until we let him leave as a free agent in 2002 where he signed with the San Diego Chargers and had a Pro Bowl appearance.

Edwards is currently battling an injury.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Not so good.  He's on the downside of his career, possibly facing the end of it at the conclusion of the 2008 season.

Derrick Johnson

Fantastic athlete, versatile, etc, etc.

Career stats here.

Outlook: In KC for the foreseeable future.

Pat Thomas

He's seen enough action at MLB this season to warrant a roster spot in a reserve role.  But his (and others) lack of production in the MLB spot is becoming an increasing problem in KC.  Expect this position to be addressed prior to the 2009 season.

Career stats here.

Outlook: Reserve role.  A starting MLB should be in place or in the system by 2009.

Erik Walden

Walden was selected by the Cowboys in the 2008 draft.  The team later released him during final cuts.  Both sides were hoping he would clear waivers in order to sign onto the practice squad (because players actually want to stay in Dallas) but Kansas City's 2007 abysmal record helped them snag Walden before many other teams had a shot.

He played at a small school (Mid Tenn State) as a defensive end and showed an ability to get to the passer.

Career stats are here.

Outlook: I'm interested in giving Walden more time considering he switched positions upon entering the pros.  He was able to get to the passer in college something the Chiefs desperately need to do.

Demorrio Wiliams

Williams emerged as a full time starter in 2005 with the Atlanta Falcons.  He went on to start 10 games in '06 and a full slate in '07.  The Chiefs signed him in March of 2008 to a 5-year deal.

Career stats are here.

Outlook: Williams hasn't been outstanding (but who has?) and should see a roster spot in 2009 pending a major upgrade on the right side.

Here in 2009: Boiman, Johnson, Thomas, Walden, Williams

Gone in 2009: Edwards (retirement or not), Dacus

Who is staying in 2009?  Who is gone in 2009?