Injuries could cause KC problems at safety
By DOUG TUCKER
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -The Kansas City Chiefs could be down to their
third-team free safety at Jacksonville on Sunday. They're also working
cornerbacks at the safety position to use in an emergency.
The Chiefs (1-6) announced Tuesday that three-year starter Jarrad Page was
going on injured reserve. But veteran Jon McGraw, who had started the past two
games in Page's place, is also hobbled and may not play.
That will bring DaJuan Morgan over from backup strong safety and may even
give reserve cornerback Maurice Leggett some time at the spot. Leggett played
some safety in college, so the position would not be new.
``It's an area of concern, obviously, for us,'' coach Todd Haley said
Wednesday. ``But we've been cross-training some of those corners to be alert in
emergency situations if we were to have something happen. But it's an area of
concern right now. It will be tenuous to say the least as we go forward, at
least for this week.''
Leggett, who signed with the Chiefs as a rookie free agent last year, made
three starts at cornerback in 2008. He played safety for a time at Division II
powerhouse Valdosta State.
``He's gotten a bunch of reps,'' Haley said. ``Being out there and actually
running routes is a little different. But I feel like at least we're ahead of
the curve with him and having a little foresight in the big picture to
understand that one of those guys might have to play there at some point.''
That will leave Mike Brown as the only experienced safety.
``We'll be OK. You only need two (safeties),'' said Brown, the starting
strong safety. ``It does hurt losing Jarrad and Jon. They're very good players.
But DaJuan is going to step in and play well. He's young and ready to play and
got a little juice in him. He's excited. This is a great opportunity for him to
show what he can do, to show the Chiefs fans what he's all about.''
11/04/09 17:06
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