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PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jared Allen. The rookie DE from Idaho State, a fourth-round pick this past spring, continues to impress as a pass-rushing end who also can deep snap. Allen, the Buck Buchanan Award winner as the top defensive player in Division 1-AA last year, recorded 17.5 sacks and 28 tackles for losses as a senior. He's showing signs of carrying that kind of disruptive ability into the NFL. Injuries to starting DE Vonnie Holliday and backup R-Kal Truluck have given him opportunities to work with the first team, and he's made the most of those opportunities. He got one sack of Eli Manning in the Giants game and consistently threw strikes on his deep snapping attempts.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
Morten Anderson vs. Lawrence Tynes for the kicker job. Tynes' deep kickoffs in the first preseason game and the consistency he's shown in his third Chiefs camp is providing a major challenge for the 44-year-old Anderson, the second-most accurate kicker in league history but one who is losing some distance in the late stages of his career.
ROOKIE REPORT
TE Kris Wilson, the second-round pick, looks ready to make some immediate offensive impact in his rookie season. Injuries among KC's top three wide receivers have given Wilson chances in the three TE formations Al Saunders tried out in their absence. He's gotten open and consistently caught passes given those opportunities. DT Junior Siavii, KC's top pick, continues to make slow progress in a season where little is expected of him as a rookie. Fourth-round pick Jared Allen had a strong enough camp, both as a pass rusher and deep snapper, that he probably has a roster spot. Undrafted receiver Richard Smith went back to the second team with the return from injury of young veteran Marc Boerigter, but likely has won a roster spot as one of five or six receivers. WR Sammie Parker had a strong final week of practice, but may be bound for the practice squad if KC does not keep six receivers -- a possibility early because of the injury to starter Johnnie Morton. Third-round pick Keyaron Fox, an outside LB, probably has a spot as Shawn Barber's backup.
INJURY REPORT
Starting free safety Jerome Woods continues to nurse a sore hamstring that has kept him out of practice for almost three weeks. He should be ready for the Sept. 12 opener, but is way behind in conditioning right now.
Starting middle linebacker Mike Maslowski's knee, repaired for the second time in four years, continues to darken his future with the club. He cannot run effectively when he does practice and could be a candidate for an injury list or release with injury settlement -- an option the club would like to avoid, but may have to consider.
Starting receiver Johnnie Morton remains down with an injured Achilles tendon. The Chiefs likely will keep a roster spot open for him, though he ongoing absence doesn't make that the given it was before camp opened.
Tight end Jason Dunn, a situational starter when KC opens in the two tight-end set it loves, missed a second preseason game with a groin injury.
Starting CB Eric Warfield is experiencing back pain after undergoing offseason back surgery. He's missed an occasional practice, but continues to play through the pain must as he did in the latter parts of the '03 campaign.
Starting CB Dexter McCleon is experiencing shoulder pain that may limit his preseason playing time as the Chiefs work to get him ready for the season opener.
No. 3 tight end Billy Baber likely will not have to miss the season, as initially feared, after injuring his knee when being sandwiched between two Vikings defenders in the joint workout with Minnesota. He'll be out a minimum of 4-6 weeks, at least.
Reserve defensive tackle Eddie Freeman is battling a knee injury that jeopardizes his chance at winning a spot in the defensive line rotation.
Reserve LB Monty Beisel, a special teams standout once thought to be a contender for the starting left outside backer spot, has been set back by a hip flexor problem that kept him out of most workouts in the final week of training camp.
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