Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 26, 2007 14:46:35 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/sports/story/417769.html
LJ out for season finale
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs have declared running back Larry Johnson out for Sunday’s game at the New York Jets, ending a season of frustration for both Johnson and the club.
Johnson suffered a fracture in his right foot during the Chiefs’ 33-22 loss to Green Bay on Nov. 4, and the team, while never specifying the details of the injury, maintained the hope he might have been available in December or if there was a postseason in Kansas City.
Instead, the Chiefs have lost eight straight games, a club record for a nonstrike year, since Johnson went to the sidelines against Green Bay.
“Larry has got a lot better, but he’s not to the point to where we feel he can play,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “Progress was good for a while, but it hit a plateau.”
Johnson, who missed all of training camp and most of preseason while negotiating a new contract, and battled a sore hamstring once the season began, carried 158 times for 559 yards (3.5 average) and three touchdowns.
That’s a long way from 2006 when he carried an NFL-record 416 times for a franchise-record 1,789 yards (4.3 average) and 17 touchdowns.
“It’s always hard when players miss time and are not around the team and miss training camp,” Edwards said, “but you never feel the guy can’t survive that.”
Edwards pointed out that defensive end Jared Allen missed the first two regular-season games because of a suspension, but Allen, who has 13.5 sacks and was voted to the Pro Bowl, was in training camp and played in the exhibition games.
“Larry started out slow, but then he got going,” Edwards said. “He had a couple of 100-yard games, and then he got hurt. He tried to recover … but the good thing about it now is he’ll have all offseason to get it healthy and he’ll be raring to go next year. He’ll be fresh.”
•INJURY UPDATE: Edwards said linebacker Donnie Edwards, who has been dealing with hamstring issues, is questionable because of a groin injury, as is offensive tackle Damion McIntosh (knee) and wide receiver Eddie Kennsion (ribs). McIntosh was in and out of the game at Detroit, and Kennison was inactive.
•FINAL-PLAY FOLLY: Edwards didn’t have an answer for what exactly happened to wide receiver Samie Parker, who fell to the turf untouched and failed to get up or lateral the ball on the final play of the Detroit game.
“I think he kicked his heels and tripped,” Edwards said, biting his tongue. “They’ll be in Wednesday, and you can ask the player. I’ll leave that alone.”
LJ out for season finale
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs have declared running back Larry Johnson out for Sunday’s game at the New York Jets, ending a season of frustration for both Johnson and the club.
Johnson suffered a fracture in his right foot during the Chiefs’ 33-22 loss to Green Bay on Nov. 4, and the team, while never specifying the details of the injury, maintained the hope he might have been available in December or if there was a postseason in Kansas City.
Instead, the Chiefs have lost eight straight games, a club record for a nonstrike year, since Johnson went to the sidelines against Green Bay.
“Larry has got a lot better, but he’s not to the point to where we feel he can play,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “Progress was good for a while, but it hit a plateau.”
Johnson, who missed all of training camp and most of preseason while negotiating a new contract, and battled a sore hamstring once the season began, carried 158 times for 559 yards (3.5 average) and three touchdowns.
That’s a long way from 2006 when he carried an NFL-record 416 times for a franchise-record 1,789 yards (4.3 average) and 17 touchdowns.
“It’s always hard when players miss time and are not around the team and miss training camp,” Edwards said, “but you never feel the guy can’t survive that.”
Edwards pointed out that defensive end Jared Allen missed the first two regular-season games because of a suspension, but Allen, who has 13.5 sacks and was voted to the Pro Bowl, was in training camp and played in the exhibition games.
“Larry started out slow, but then he got going,” Edwards said. “He had a couple of 100-yard games, and then he got hurt. He tried to recover … but the good thing about it now is he’ll have all offseason to get it healthy and he’ll be raring to go next year. He’ll be fresh.”
•INJURY UPDATE: Edwards said linebacker Donnie Edwards, who has been dealing with hamstring issues, is questionable because of a groin injury, as is offensive tackle Damion McIntosh (knee) and wide receiver Eddie Kennsion (ribs). McIntosh was in and out of the game at Detroit, and Kennison was inactive.
•FINAL-PLAY FOLLY: Edwards didn’t have an answer for what exactly happened to wide receiver Samie Parker, who fell to the turf untouched and failed to get up or lateral the ball on the final play of the Detroit game.
“I think he kicked his heels and tripped,” Edwards said, biting his tongue. “They’ll be in Wednesday, and you can ask the player. I’ll leave that alone.”