Five players visit
The Chiefs entertained five free agents Friday:
• Wide receiver Rod Gardner. A former first-round draft pick with Washington, Gardner played five NFL seasons and caught 13 passes last season while splitting time with Carolina and Green Bay.
• Wide receiver Frisman Jackson, who played four seasons for Cleveland and caught 24 passes in 2005.
• Wide receiver Darius Watts, a former second-round pick of the Broncos. Watts caught 33 passes in his two NFL seasons, but only two for Denver last year.
• Offensive tackle Mike Pearson. A former second-round pick by Jacksonville, Pearson started for two seasons with the Jaguars.
• Fullback Chris Manderino. An undrafted rookie who played in college at California, Manderino went to camp with Cincinnati.
Black to start
Kevin Sampson didn’t practice again Friday because of a hamstring injury, which means Jordan Black will get the start Sunday at right tackle.
Black got the nod over second-year tackle Will Svitek, who played there in last week’s preseason finale against the Saints.
“Both of them were working, and we decided to go with Black,” coach Herm Edwards said. “I mean, obviously Svitek will get some time. We feel he’s a good player. He’s a swing guy right now, playing right and left, and we’re going to start Black out.
“I think it’s a proper thing to do going into opening day, opening game, and we feel comfortable with him right now. Svitek’s a guy who’s getting better, and he has to continue to get better because he’s going to be called on to play.”
Black started the 2005 season at right tackle before Pro Bowler Willie Roaf injured his hamstring. Black moved to left tackle, took a heap of flak from the fans, then watched Kyle Turley win the starting job at left tackle when Roaf retired.
Sampson watched Friday’s workouts in shorts.
“He’s not ready to play,” Edwards said. “He didn’t practice, and I don’t think you put a player out there who hasn’t practiced all week.”
TJ out?
Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (heel) didn’t practice again Friday, and he’s listed as questionable for Sunday. Cincinnati is already missing receiver Antonio Chatman, who has a groin injury.
P Chiefs Injury Status
T Kevin Sampson hamstring Q
P Bengals Injury Status
WR Antonio Chatman Groin O
CB Deltha O’Neal Knee P
LB David Pollack hamstring P
DT Sam Adams Knee P
LB Ahmad Brooks Neck P
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh Heel Q
P: probable; Q: questionable; D: doubtful; O: out
