Elvis May Have Left KC Lineup (For Now)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Elvis Grbac may have a mild shoulder separation, Pro Bowl left guard Dave Szott injured his left arm and both are probably out for Sunday's game at Jacksonville.
Coach Marty Schottenheimer said both were evaluated Monday in the wake of Kansas City's 28-8 victory over Oakland the night before, but the Labor Day holiday prevented team doctors from getting a second opinion.
"Dr. (John) Brown and his staff always further (their evaluations) to another source for another review and we can't do that because today's a holiday," Schottenheimer said. "Fed Ex is not operating today so I don't know exactly what to tell you other than they will be further evaluated."
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Grbac, who missed six games last year with a broken collarbone, was hurt on the last play of the first half when he was blindsided by Oakland's Darrell Russell.
Szott, a nine-year veteran and key member of the offensive line, missed most of the second half with a painful injury to the left biceps.
The Chiefs were already reeling from injuries that sidelined defensive ends Chester McGlockton and John Browning and wide receiver Derrick Alexander. In addition, wide receiver Andre Rison reaggravated a hamstring injury and missed most of the second half.
"Elvis sustained an injury to his shoulder," Schottenheimer said. "At this point, it's a sprained shoulder. Dr. Brown indicated to us the shoulder is stable. All we have to do is wait until the point in time when he can work throwing the football and be comfortable doing that. I would have to say he's probably doubtful this week."
Schottenheimer also said Szott would be doubtful for the game against Jacksonville, which was also the first game on the schedule last year after Grbac was hurt and replaced by Rich Gannon.
Gannon and the Chiefs played poorly in a 24-10 loss to the Jaguars, one of Kansas City's three losses all season. Gannon, 32, lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions.
But then he took the Chiefs on a five-game winning streak and earned the confidence of the team.
"We're very fortunate to have a guy like Gannon who can step in if it becomes necessary in these particular circumstances," Schottenheimer said. "We've been here once before."
Schottenheimer said Rison should be ready for Jacksonville, and also possibly Alexander, who has been nursing a rib injury.
The Chiefs will go into the Jacksonville game with only one backup quarterback, Todd Collins, who was picked up off waivers and has not had time to learn the system. Schottenheimer said the Chiefs did not plan to add a quarterback this week.
"I don't think Elvis' condition is such that it requires us to bring in another guy yet," Schottenheimer said. "And the other side of it is Todd needs as many reps as he can get."
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