08-06-2007, 09:45 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Chiefs’ McIntosh hurt
www.kansascity.com | 08/06/2007 | Chiefs’ McIntosh hurt
Quote:
The Chiefs laid bare their offseason priority for improvement in free agency by signing left tackle Damion McIntosh only hours after the market opened.
They may now have to play without McIntosh for an extended period. He was taken from the field at Monday’s afternoon practice on a motorized cart with what the Chiefs called a right knee sprain.
Further tests were scheduled to determine the extent of the injury, but the Chiefs feared the worst. Coach Herm Edwards was already busy determining replacements from a short list that includes veteran Kyle Turley and inexperienced Will Svitek.
“We’ll talk about what we’re going to do short-term and long-term,” said Edwards, who then tried to put the situation in a better light.
“Remember last year and what happened to us on opening day?” he said, referring to quarterback Trent Green’s concussion. “We found a way to keep playing.
“I’m optimistic. I don’t worry about this stuff. We’ll line up and we’ll play. It’s football. Guys get nicked.”
McIntosh, though, is one of the most indispensable Chiefs. They never adequately covered the hole at left tackle last season after Willie Roaf’s abrupt retirement.
Turley began the season as the left tackle but was replaced by Jordan Black in the third game. Black finished the season, but the Chiefs were determined to find an upgrade.
They settled on McIntosh, a seven-year veteran with San Diego and Miami, and figured the problem was solved.
It was until Monday. Svitek replaced McIntosh at left tackle after his departure. Turley was busy filling in for right tackle Chris Terry, who has a minor shoulder injury and didn’t practice.
Turley was one of the league’s top tackles before back injuries forced him to miss two seasons. He returned to football last season with the Chiefs and started seven games, including five at right tackle.
But he missed parts of the season with injuries and retired after the season. He returned shortly before the start of training camp and declared himself to be far more durable than he proved to be last year.
He has worked exclusively as Terry’s backup during camp.
Svitek, a sixth-round pick two years ago, has played tackle in only one NFL regular-season game. He was a defensive lineman in college.
“This is my third year in the NFL, so I’m definitely comfortable at left tackle if that’s what they ask me to do,” he said. “Hopefully Damion is OK, but if it comes down to that, I’m ready.”
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