More worries at tackle
Turley’s sore back is not good news for a Chiefs team that is already hurting at that important position.
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
As shaky as their pass blocking has been, the last thing the Chiefs wanted to see was left tackle Kyle Turley riding a stationary bike on the edge of the practice field instead of working with his teammates.
But that’s exactly what Turley was doing Wednesday. He also was a spectator at Monday’s practice. The Chiefs did not practice Tuesday, normally the players’ day off.
The Chiefs listed Turley on the NFL injury report as likely to play in Sunday’s game against San Francisco at Arrowhead Stadium.
They listed right tackle Kevin Sampson the same way early in the week of the season opener against Cincinnati, and Sampson didn’t play until the next week against Denver.
If Turley’s problem was anything but soreness in his back, his absence might not be so troubling to the Chiefs. But he returned to football only this season after missing the last two because of back troubles, so there’s no way to misinterpret this as good news.
Turley said the soreness was beyond anything he’s experienced since he signed with the Chiefs in the spring.
“I’m concerned,” Turley said. “A back injury is not something to fool around with. It’s definitely cause for concern.
“We’ll see. I’m supposed to meet with more doctors, and we’ll find out what’s happening. I’m just trying to wait it out.”
Coach Herm Edwards was slightly more upbeat.
“He’s gone through a lot,” Edwards said. “He hasn’t missed a lot of days since he got here. He went through all of training camp for the most part. You can anticipate there’s going to be some stiffness at times with a guy like that after all he’s gone through.”
Jordan Black, who struggled at times as the left tackle last season — and again at right tackle in Sampson’s place against Cincinnati — would be the likely starter if Turley can’t play.
Black would face two of San Francisco’s best pass rushers in end Marques Douglas and outside linebacker Manny Lawson, a rookie who had two sacks in a recent game against St. Louis.
Black has been frustrated that he’s been moved from position to position since the start of training camp. He’s played every line position except center.
This week, though, he’s been nothing but a left tackle.
“One week to prepare at one position is all I can ask for,” he said. “It’s terrific.”
Offensive-line changes were once rare for the Chiefs, who not long ago started the same five players at the same five positions for 32 straight games. If Turley doesn’t play against the 49ers, they would use their third different line in three games.
“It’s just something we’re getting used to by now,” guard Brian Waters said.
Waters, as the left guard, would be the lineman most affected by Turley’s loss. But Waters started six games last year next to Black, who was filling in for the injured Willie Roaf.
“I’m really vocal as far as making calls,” Waters said. “I try to make things easy for those guys by being that way. We’ll be on the same page. It’s not an issue for me.”
The loss of Turley would be a huge blow to an offensive line still trying to find itself after the retirements of Roaf and John Welbourn, last year’s starters.
Against Cincinnati, the Chiefs gave up seven sacks and lost quarterback Trent Green because of a concussion. They then used a shorter, quicker passing game with Green’s replacement, Damon Huard, against the Broncos.
The Chiefs were cautiously hopeful they could provide Huard with more time against the 49ers and get more big passes. If Turley doesn’t play, they might have to scrap those plans.
The Chiefs’ only option to Black is Will Svitek, a college defensive lineman they drafted last year in the sixth round. They moved him to offensive line and were encouraged by his play this year in NFL Europe.
They still believe Svitek will become a competent offensive tackle and an eventual starter, but that day has apparently not come yet.
“He’s got a lot of talent,” Edwards said. “He doesn’t have the experience of playing there as much as Jordan because he hasn’t lined up there enough. He was a defensive lineman when he got here. Experience is what he’s lacking.
“It’s kind of unfair to him because we’ve had him on the left and on the right, and that’s (difficult). He’s had to learn both of those positions. That’s his job, to be prepared to play either side.”
