SB Nation - Dantrell Savage

Dantrell Savage Back on the Chiefs Injury Report

Joel Thorman — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 01:11:53 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

Dantrell Savage Back on the Chiefs Injury Report. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Yesterday, the Kansas City Chiefs listed four players on their practice report. Today, they list five.

The new addition is running back Dantrell Savage, who appears to still be recovering from an ankle injury suffered a month ago. Savage was listed as a full participant in practice all of last week with the same troublesome ankle. With the emergence of Jamaal Charles as a full time running back, the need for Savage has decreased in recent weeks.

The only other change to the injury report was an upgrade to Wallace Gilberry. He dealt with a sore back last week and the issue continued yesterday. Today, however, he was listed as a full participant in practice.

Other Chiefs injuries:

G Brian Waters (hamstring) - Limited
S Jon McGraw (hand) - Limited
DE Glenn Dorsey (knee) - Limited

All these players are expected to be available on Sunday.

Chiefs Confirm Kestahn Moore Signing

Joel Thorman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:01:14 -0000

More photos » by Reed Hoffmann - AP

14 days ago: Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley talks to his players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

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Rookie running back Kestahn Moore cleared medical tests today and officially became a Kansas City Chief. Of course, if you read Arrowhead Pride, you knew about this last night.

(Ed. Note: To be clear, Moore joined the practice squad, not active roster. I wasn't clear on that before. Chiefs still have one open spot on the 53 man roster)

Because of the weather, the Chiefs took practice indoors today.

Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com reports that G Andy Alleman and RB Dantrell Savage participated in practice, although it appears to be on a limited basis. While Alleman was in half pads like the rest of the team, Wade Smith took the first team snaps at RG. Savage was moving around in a boot on his ankle.

Jamaal Charles participated in practice despite at one point coming up gimpy in last Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos.

The way things stand now, the Chiefs may not be done shuffling the roster.

Ron Edwards is the lone NT on the roster with Kenny Smith's release yesterday. Since it's one of the most physically demanding positions there are a few folks wondering if Todd Haley will promote Derek Lokey from the practice squad. Lokey spent time with the Chiefs in training camp and appears to be the only backup for Edwards.

As Looney points out, Moore's signing puts six running backs on the Chiefs roster including Jamaal Charles, Tim Castille, Dantrell Savage, Mike Cox and Javarris Williams. Moore is the only practice squad member.

Chiefs RB Castille Moves Up In Latest Depth Chart

Joel Thorman — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:53:46 -0000

Last week at this time, the Kansas City Chiefs sported three running backs on their depth chart: Jamaal Charles, Kolby Smith and Dantrell Savage.

With Smith now on IR and Savage missing the Denver Broncos game with an injury, here's how the Chiefs backs stack up:

Jamaal Charles, Tim Castille and Dantrell Savage.

Castille has only been on the team for a few weeks but contributed yesterday. He had three carries for 26 yards and one reception for eight yards. He was moved into the Chiefs offense pretty quickly.

Other depth chart changes are minor.

One other minor change comes at punt returner. With Savage injured, Quinten Lawrence is now listed as the No. 2 punt returner.

Lawrence had six kick returns for an average of 21 yards yesterday.

Broncos Inactives for Today's Game

John Bena — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:43:06 -0000

Here are the Inactives for today's Broncos/Chiefs game. No surprises here - the Broncos are healthy and ready to go!

QB Tom Brandstater
NT Chris Baker
OL Brandon Gorin
OL Seth Olsen
WR Brandon Lloyd
OLB Jarvis Moss
WR Kenny McKinley
RB LaMont Jordan

Chiefs Inactives include -

WR Mark Bradley
CB Donald Washington
LB Justin Rogers
G Andy Alleman
LB Pierre Walters
TE Jake O'Connell
RB Dantrell Savage
QB Matt Gutierrez (3rd QB)

Chiefs RB Williams a 'Possibility' to be Promoted From Practice Squad

Joel Thorman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:18:59 -0000

As we realize that Kolby Smith's injury is serious enough to cause him to miss Sunday's game, and maybe the rest of the season, we'll begin to turn our focus to possible replacements for this weekend. Assuming Dantrell Savage is out as well (listed as doubtful), there are a couple of options for the backup RB spot behind Jamaal Charles.

We already went over some of those options. Here's what Todd Haley had to say about it.

RB Javarris Williams is currently on the practice squad but Todd Haley said today, "That’s a possibility," when asked if he could be promoted.

"Obviously we need to see exactly where Savage is at and where we are at as a group. We’ve got a couple of plans that we’re ready to go with one way or another."

Haley said yesterday the Chiefs have a "Plan B, Plan C" and so on if Kolby Smith can't go this weekend. And now that it appears Savage isn't likely to go either, FB Tim Castille is becoming not just a possibility but a probability this weekend.

"If Kolby is indeed out," Haley said, "I’m happy we have a guy like Tim Castille that we’ve added here recently that can play both positions. We haven’t given him the ball a bunch but we think he can play the halfback and fullback positions."

There you have it. If Savage can't go, look for Javarris Williams to be called up or Tim Castille to be given some carries.

Chiefs RB Kolby Smith Officially Out; Savage Doubtful

Joel Thorman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:15:58 -0000

Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com reports that Chiefs RB Kolby Smith has been formally ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos. This is about what we expected when he wasn't on the practice field this afternoon.

Meanwhile, as I just noted a few minutes ago, Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star believes this could be the season ending variety of injury.

"Chiefs RB Kolby Smith's injury could be season-ending," Babb reports. "The team will know more after today, but he again could be placed on IR."

If that's the case, it'll be the second time Smith has been placed on IR in his short career.

Looney also reports the Chiefs put RB Dantrell Savage as doubtful on the injury report. This means he has about a 25% chance of playing, or highly unlikely.

So, it's nearly guaranteed that the Chiefs running backs on Sunday will go like this:

1. Jamaal Charles

2. Tim Castille/Mike Cox (FBs)

It's also possible the Chiefs make a decision on Smith after today and, if it is IR, rookie RB Javarris Williams is sitting on the practice squad.

The Chiefs also worked out former Bengals RB Chris Perry a couple weeks ago so that's a possibility.

Chiefs Could Have Two RBs Missing the Broncos Game

Joel Thorman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:25:56 -0000

More photos » by Seth Perlman - AP

Chiefs RB Savage did not participate in today's practice. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)

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You take one step forward and then take two back....

As of yesterday, it appeared Chiefs RB Dantrell Savage would be available to play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. The question then was whether RB Kolby Smith, who was downgraded to a non-participant in practice, would be available to play.

As it turns out, both players could miss Sunday's game. Here's the situation, via Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com.

RB Kolby Smith not at practice

Uh-oh..a Chiefs player suffering an injury that's unaccounted for at practice has generally meant a trip to IR. I haven't heard anything about that though.

Yesterday Chiefs coach Todd Haley said of Smith, "Yeah, we’ll know a little bit more [tomorrow]. We’ll list him as [did not practice today] but we’ll have to see what’s up."

It's possible Smith was getting medical tests done during practice. Or he's going to IR. Or he'll play Sunday. The point is we don't now "what's up" yet.

RB Dantrell Savage downgraded

Yesterday, Savage was listed as a limited participant and via multiple folks we heard he was running pretty well.

Today? The rehab zone. We're not sure what this means for Savage's status on Sunday but practicing on Friday is a big part of Haley's determination on who is active and who isn't.

***

For those of you wanting Jamaal Charles to carry an even heavier load, you may get your wish.

Kolby Smith the Lone Chief Missing Practice

Joel Thorman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:03:37 -0000

More photos » by Ed Zurga - AP

Chiefs RB Dantrell Savage could see more carries if RB Kolby Smith can't go on Sunday. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Once again the Kansas City Chiefs took the field in healthy fashion. 52 of the team's 53 players participated in practice this morning according to Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com.

RB Kolby Smith was the lone player missing. He rode the stationary bike the rehab area instead.

Smith suffered an injury several weeks ago and has been hobbled ever since. He's had just two carries in the last two games. If he can't go on Sunday, expect Dantrell Savage to take some of his carries.

Smith and Savage both were listed as limited participants in yesterday's practice according to the official NFL practice report. Savage ran drills today so his recovery seems to be better than Smith's.

The four other players listed on the Chiefs practice report yesterday included Andy Alleman, Justin Rogers, David Herron and Mike Vrabel. All were listed as full participants.

As Looney notes, not having Smith and/or Savage would mean an increase in carries for Jamaal Charles and potentially a decrease in his return duties.

Mike Vrabel Highlights Six Chiefs on the Injury Report

Joel Thorman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:40:12 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

Chiefs RB Kolby Smith is recovering from an ankle injury.. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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The Kansas City Chiefs have divulged the practice status in the first of three NFL mandated injury reports this week. Compared to last week, when three players were ruled out on Friday, the Chiefs are getting healthy.

Here is the Chiefs official injury report for today:

Limited Participation in Practice

RB Dantrell Savage: He's missed a couple games with an ankle injury that caused him to leave the Raiders game early. The Chiefs have depth at running back so his availability on gameday could be just as much performance related as it is injury related.

RB Kolby Smith: He suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss part of one game. He's had only two rushing attempts the last two weeks as he recovers from the injury.

Full Participation in Practice

RG Andy Alleman: A knee injury that has caused him to miss some time recently. He practiced fully today but Wade Smith continued to work with the No. 1 team.

LB David Herron: He was inactive last week and is recovering from a knee injury.

LB Justin Rogers: Same as above. Special teamer getting healthier.

LB Mike Vrabel: He's missed the last two games with this knee injury. Remember, he returned to practice last week only to be downgraded later. This is an injury to keep an eye on.

Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel, Others Return to Practice in Healthy Fashion

Joel Thorman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:55:34 -0000

More photos » by Orlin Wagner - AP

Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel returned to practice today. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

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The Kansas City Chiefs returned to practice today in preparation for Sunday's matchup against the Denver Broncos. The good news? The Chiefs appear to be getting healthier.

The only player in the rehab area of OL Colin Brown, who is on injured reserve.

New Chiefs NT Derek Lokey and OL Jermail Porter were on the field, wearing No. 69 and No. 77.

After missing last weekend's game due to injury, the following players returned to practice (info courtesy Josh Looney of KCChiefs.com and Bob Gretz of BobGretz.com):

LB Mike Vrabel

Vrabel suffered a knee injury against the Oakland Raiders that kept him out of the next two contests. LB Andy Studebaker has done a solid job backing him up.

It should be mentioned that Vrabel attended the early portions of practice last week but was later downgraded and did not play.

Vrabel wore a brace on his left knee during practice today and was practicing with the first team.

RG Andy Alleman

Alleman has had an ankle problem that's kept him out of the last couple of games. OL Wade Smith has been filling in for him.

Alleman's participation is encouraging and his return could be important in case another lineman goes down and the swingman, Smith, needs to be called upon.

Alleman was not working with the first team today, however.

RB Dantrell Savage

In the wake of Savage's injury a couple weeks ago, the Chiefs signed RB/FB Tim Castille. Savage had a key fumble and a dropped pass the last time he stepped on the field, which appeared to draw the ire of Haley.

When/if Savage returns, he'll see a crowded backfield with new starter Jamaal Charles likely looking at the majority of the snaps. Kolby Smith is also ahead of Savage on the depth chart.

Justin Rogers

He was out last game with injury but returned to work today.