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Gonzalez, Waters back for Chiefs
Pro Bowlers return to practice and might play in Thanksgiving game against rival Broncos.
By ELIZABETH MERRILL
The Kansas City Star
As the trucks, tents and guys with wires and hammers multiplied Tuesday, Pro Bowlers Tony Gonzalez and Brian Waters quietly returned to practice.
Coincidence?
Behold the power of a big game. It can make aching knees tolerable and bulky braces en vogue. At least that’s the way Chiefs coach Herm Edwards saw it when Waters hit the field Tuesday morning, two days before Denver, knocking around with a brace that covered much of his right leg. Nobody expected Edwards to say that Waters will probably play Thursday, especially after he was carted off the field less than three weeks ago at St. Louis.
Gonzalez’s appearance was somewhat of a surprise, too. He sprained his shoulder at Miami on Nov. 12, hurt it so bad he couldn’t take his shirt off after the game. He pulled on his No. 88 jersey Tuesday and caught passes while the other tight ends hit the blocking sled.
“They like the spotlight,” Edwards said. “They like the 20-minute halftime. They understand all that. They think that’s important. I know I did when I was a player. The bigger the stage, the better. That’s what makes them who they are. That’s what separates them from everybody else.”
Gonzalez is expected to be a game-time decision, and, if he’s back, it would mean the Chiefs’ offense is nearly at full strength for the first time since Sept. 10. Quarterback Trent Green made his return last Sunday and shook off the rust of a 10-week absence from a concussion.
Since that opener, Kansas City has done a seasonlong scramble for able bodies. Right tackle Kevin Sampson went down because of a foot injury and is still out. Linebacker Derrick Johnson has missed two starts because of an ankle injury and ran in sweats Tuesday. He’s still very iffy for Denver.
But the 6-4 Chiefs find themselves in a place that looked impossible six weeks ago, and can move into a tie for second in the AFC West with a win over the 7-3 Broncos.
Edwards says he’s proud of the backups who have stepped in admirably, but — who’s he kidding? — there’s a reason the starters were No. 1 on the depth chart. As he spoke for roughly 15 minutes after practice, it was obvious Edwards’ eyes were getting bigger at the prospect of being healthy and very much in the playoff race in December.
“We’ve missed some along the way on this ride,” he said. “The good thing about it is we’ve stayed in the car. We had our seat belts on, we didn’t fall out. We kept driving the car, and now we’re in a different situation.
“That’s what makes it fun this time of year. Being in the hunt. All the games are important.”
Waters, long considered the young ’un on a line that was one of the oldest and best in the NFL, showed that he’s evolved into a leader. He came in twice a day for treatment, and was a constant in the locker room.
He’s been tight-lipped about his return, and said it hasn’t been decided whether he’ll play on Thanksgiving night.
“It felt better,” Waters said of his first practice. “I’ve tried to get back as soon as possible.”
If Green’s comeback last week was a shot of adrenaline, then Waters and Gonzalez gave the team a double jolt. They had started 79 straight games together before Waters’ injury, and the Chiefs’ offense chugged without them Sunday against the Raiders.
Green threw for just 102 yards, and needed the final minutes to pull out a 17-13 win. Gonzalez watched it from the sidelines, bouncing around with a cap pushed down over his head. All week, the NFL Network has been running commercials for the Thursday night tilt, and Gonzalez is featured prominently, touting the game.
“He lives for this,” said tight end Jason Dunn, one of Gonzalez’s best friends. “Tony’s a big-time player.”
And that, Edwards says, is why his stars will be back if they can.
“It’s a six-game season,” Edwards said. “Veteran guys know this time of year, if you have a chance to get into the playoffs, it’s important that you’re available to play. Good players like this kind of atmosphmere. They like to be in the hunt.”
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/16070904.htm
Pro Bowlers return to practice and might play in Thanksgiving game against rival Broncos.
By ELIZABETH MERRILL
The Kansas City Star
As the trucks, tents and guys with wires and hammers multiplied Tuesday, Pro Bowlers Tony Gonzalez and Brian Waters quietly returned to practice.
Coincidence?
Behold the power of a big game. It can make aching knees tolerable and bulky braces en vogue. At least that’s the way Chiefs coach Herm Edwards saw it when Waters hit the field Tuesday morning, two days before Denver, knocking around with a brace that covered much of his right leg. Nobody expected Edwards to say that Waters will probably play Thursday, especially after he was carted off the field less than three weeks ago at St. Louis.
Gonzalez’s appearance was somewhat of a surprise, too. He sprained his shoulder at Miami on Nov. 12, hurt it so bad he couldn’t take his shirt off after the game. He pulled on his No. 88 jersey Tuesday and caught passes while the other tight ends hit the blocking sled.
“They like the spotlight,” Edwards said. “They like the 20-minute halftime. They understand all that. They think that’s important. I know I did when I was a player. The bigger the stage, the better. That’s what makes them who they are. That’s what separates them from everybody else.”
Gonzalez is expected to be a game-time decision, and, if he’s back, it would mean the Chiefs’ offense is nearly at full strength for the first time since Sept. 10. Quarterback Trent Green made his return last Sunday and shook off the rust of a 10-week absence from a concussion.
Since that opener, Kansas City has done a seasonlong scramble for able bodies. Right tackle Kevin Sampson went down because of a foot injury and is still out. Linebacker Derrick Johnson has missed two starts because of an ankle injury and ran in sweats Tuesday. He’s still very iffy for Denver.
But the 6-4 Chiefs find themselves in a place that looked impossible six weeks ago, and can move into a tie for second in the AFC West with a win over the 7-3 Broncos.
Edwards says he’s proud of the backups who have stepped in admirably, but — who’s he kidding? — there’s a reason the starters were No. 1 on the depth chart. As he spoke for roughly 15 minutes after practice, it was obvious Edwards’ eyes were getting bigger at the prospect of being healthy and very much in the playoff race in December.
“We’ve missed some along the way on this ride,” he said. “The good thing about it is we’ve stayed in the car. We had our seat belts on, we didn’t fall out. We kept driving the car, and now we’re in a different situation.
“That’s what makes it fun this time of year. Being in the hunt. All the games are important.”
Waters, long considered the young ’un on a line that was one of the oldest and best in the NFL, showed that he’s evolved into a leader. He came in twice a day for treatment, and was a constant in the locker room.
He’s been tight-lipped about his return, and said it hasn’t been decided whether he’ll play on Thanksgiving night.
“It felt better,” Waters said of his first practice. “I’ve tried to get back as soon as possible.”
If Green’s comeback last week was a shot of adrenaline, then Waters and Gonzalez gave the team a double jolt. They had started 79 straight games together before Waters’ injury, and the Chiefs’ offense chugged without them Sunday against the Raiders.
Green threw for just 102 yards, and needed the final minutes to pull out a 17-13 win. Gonzalez watched it from the sidelines, bouncing around with a cap pushed down over his head. All week, the NFL Network has been running commercials for the Thursday night tilt, and Gonzalez is featured prominently, touting the game.
“He lives for this,” said tight end Jason Dunn, one of Gonzalez’s best friends. “Tony’s a big-time player.”
And that, Edwards says, is why his stars will be back if they can.
“It’s a six-game season,” Edwards said. “Veteran guys know this time of year, if you have a chance to get into the playoffs, it’s important that you’re available to play. Good players like this kind of atmosphmere. They like to be in the hunt.”
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/16070904.htm