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Gonzalez OUT this weekend


Chief Dick
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Per KC Star this morning. Article says he may be out longer.

 

Gonzalez out vs. Raiders

Chiefs tight end will miss first game since 1999 after spraining his shoulder at Miami.

By ADAM TEICHER

The Kansas City Star

To recall what it’s like to play without tight end Tony Gonzalez, the Chiefs have to go back seven seasons, or when Gunther Cunningham was their head coach and not the defensive coordinator.

 

Gonzalez missed the only game of his career in the 1999 season opener because of a sore knee. The Chiefs scored just one offensive touchdown that day in a three-point loss to the Bears in Chicago.

 

Right about now, the Chiefs can only hope that game wasn’t a true indication of how they will operate without Gonzalez. The centerpiece of their passing game for the last several seasons, this one included, Gonzalez won’t play in Sunday’s game against Oakland at Arrowhead Stadium and perhaps another game or two after that.

 

Gonzalez sprained his left shoulder on one of the final plays of Sunday’s 13-10 loss to the Dolphins in Miami.

 

His loss comes at a particularly critical time for the Chiefs. At 5-4, they are tied with Jacksonville and the New York Jets for the final AFC wild-card spot and play AFC West rivals in the next two weeks.

 

The Broncos will be at Arrowhead on Thanksgiving night and probably won’t see Gonzalez then.

 

“It is a shame (for) a guy like that,” coach Herm Edwards said. “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.”

 

Gonzalez completed a series of four big games in Miami by catching six passes for 84 yards. He has 23 catches in the four games for 401 yards and two touchdowns and is the Chiefs’ season leader in receptions (44), yards (588) and receiving touchdowns (three).

 

Many of the yards were gained on his own after making the catch.

 

Replacing Gonzalez means much more than replacing his numbers. His mere presence affects defensive strategy, so his loss changes the dynamics of what the Chiefs are trying to accomplish.

 

It’s not a coincidence, for instance, that Gonzalez began his big four-game stretch at the same time Larry Johnson and the running game began their revival. Opposing defenses found it difficult to commit to stopping both Gonzalez and Johnson.

 

Without Gonzalez, the Chiefs no longer have a receiving threat at tight end. He will be replaced by Jason Dunn, a powerful blocker but not in Gonzalez’s class as a pass receiver.

 

“He’s helped a lot,” Edwards said, referring to the role Gonzalez the receiver played in Johnson’s recent resurgence. “It helps any quarterback when he can get it to the tight end, especially inside because it’s an easy throw. I shouldn’t say it’s an easy throw, but it’s a good throw for a quarterback to get into his rhythm. Then that sort of opens up the outside for you, too.”

 

After Dunn, the Chiefs don’t have another true tight end. Kris Wilson has played the position, but he’s now occupied at fullback, where the Chiefs last month lost Ronnie Cruz for the season because of a knee injury.

 

The Chiefs on Monday were sorting through their options for how to replace Gonzalez. Dunn already played a considerable amount as a second tight end.

 

Wilson, Dante Hall and perhaps even Michael Bennett or Rod Gardner could get more playing time.

 

“Obviously, Jason’s going to have to come in more as a tight end,” Edwards said. “We’ll do some things. We’re formulating that today. We’re trying to figure out the best way to get the best personnel on the football field. That’s where we’re huddled up today, trying to work through all that and the personnel groups in how we want to go about playing.”

 

The Chiefs would have been in better position to weather Gonzalez’s loss if not for a string of injuries that is now threatening to suck the life from their offense. Quarterback Trent Green hasn’t played since the season’s first game, Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters won’t play against the Raiders because of a knee injury, and Cruz is out for the season.

 

The Chiefs may also play against the Raiders without linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety Greg Wesley. Neither played in Miami.

 

“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. But obviously you’re going down the stretch and you hope they’ll hurry up and come back. But you can’t rush them either. They’re going to come back when they’re able to perform well.”

Edited by Chief Dick
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Not so fast....although probably won't play....but he's definately not OUT at this point.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?i...000000000000000

 

And gone too, in all probability, will be Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Chiefs' leading pass receiver, Gonzalez sprained his left shoulder on one of the final plays of last week's 13-10 loss at Miami and may be gone for at least two or three games.

 

Edwards said on Monday that Gonzalez would definitely be out this week, but said Tuesday he would be listed as "doubtful."

 

So might he play?

 

"Oh, maybe. But he's doubtful," Edwards said. "Last night he said he wanted to be the third tight end. Said he wanted to be the third-down tight end. That's Tony, though. Right now he's doubtful. It's a pain-tolerance deal and something he has to get some rest on it. And we'll see as the week goes on where he's at."

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