KC tight end Gonzalez out at least one week

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KC tight end Gonzalez out at least one week with shoulder sprain

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
November 13, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Tight end Tony Gonzalez is the latest Kansas City Chiefs all-star sidelined.

The seven-time Pro Bowler sprained his left shoulder in the closing minutes of Sunday's 13-10 loss at Miami. More will be known with test results on Tuesday, but he will definitely miss Sunday's game against Oakland.

Injuries to key starters are mounting for Kansas City (5-4). Also out for at least one more week are Pro Bowl left guard Brian Waters and starting right tackle Kevin Sampson. Still questionable are two defensive regulars who were unable to play at Miami, linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety Greg Wesley.

Quarterback Trent Green, in the meantime, could be cleared to begin fulltime practice this week for the first time since he sustained a severe concussion in the opener on Sept. 10.

"They're going to get the tests tomorrow. They'll read his evaluation tomorrow and they'll let him know if they'll let him start participating in team stuff," Edwards said.

If Green does get cleared to play, it will force a decision whether he or Damon Huard will start.

But no matter who the quarterback is, the Chiefs would be weakened significantly if they have to go any length of time without Gonzalez. He will likely be replaced by backup Jason Dunn, an accomplished blocker whose receiving skills hardly compare.

Gonzalez had averaged more than 100 yards receiving and almost 17 yards per catch in the three previous games, victories over San Diego, Seattle and St. Louis that kept the Chiefs in the playoff hunt.

The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder caught six balls for 84 yards at Miami and was keying a second-half rally when he was injured while fighting through a double-team to make sure Huard's pass was not intercepted.

The Chiefs' career leader in touchdown passes and yards from scrimmage, Gonzalez trails only Shannon Sharpe all-time for receptions by a tight end.

"He's getting more tests today and we'll find out tomorrow or the next day the extent of how long he'll be out. This weekend, he's definitely out," Edwards said.

"It is a shame, a guy like that, he's having a terrific year for you and has been a staple in the last month and really getting involved in the offense. We're going to have to find another way now. He's going to be missed this week, obviously. But we've just got to find a way to get the ball, when we decide to pass, to other players."

If Green gets the go-ahead, might he start Sunday in place of Huard, who has gone 5-3 in his absence and played well in holding the offense together?

"We'll see where he's at," Edwards said. "I can't answer that until I know the extent of what he's going to participate in and how he's feeling in practice. He hasn't done anything live yet, so we'll just kind of see."

At this point, it's not possible to know how effective Green, a two-time Pro Bowler, might be after such a long layoff.

"You can't answer it. You can answer it in practice as to how he looks in practice," Edwards said. "But until he actually goes in a game, no one's going to know."

The coach repeated what he said last week, that a decision on Huard or Green was not one he had to make yet.

"Whenever (Green) has a chance to play again, you anticipate for him to play well. But he's going to be a little rusty. You know that."

Huard had perhaps his worst game at Miami, but understandably so. The makeshift offensive line, with Chris Bober starting for Waters and Kyle Turley in for Sampson, was dominated. He was sacked three times and hit the ground on at least four other plays while connecting on 15 of 38 passes for 201 yards.

The Chiefs did not make a first down until late in the second quarter.

"We're sledding a little bit differently right now," Edwards said. "I think you look at it, and some young guys are going to have to go in and play. And some backup veterans that we've had around here are going to have to go play. That's just part of the process of football. You know injuries occur. Hopefully, none of them are season-ending."

Edwards said Gonzalez was feeling sore, but still defiant.

"He was telling me today he could play on third down."
 

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