Kansas City Chiefs’ Quarterback Matt Cassel expected to return this year – NFL News Update
The injured quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Cassel, who had his season ended following a hand injury, is now ready to make a return to the team later on this year in 2012.
Cassel said the injury was healing well and would return to the team soon.
“It’s healed up quite nicely so far”, Cassel said. “I’ve got all the range of motion back and all of those things”.
The injury had made him miss the last seven-games this season.
Talking to the Kansas City Star, Cassel said that he was motivated and was anxious to return to the field.
“I’m motivated. I am eager and excited about getting back to work this off-season and getting us back to the position where we can go to the playoffs and win championships’’, Cassel said.
Cassel sustained an injury to his right hand while playing against the Denver Broncos.
The week 10 game which the Chiefs lost, 17-10, brought further sad news for them as they were going to lose their quarterback for the season.
Cassel was injured after he was sacked by Broncos’ Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller, in the fourth quarter of the game.
After the incident, Cassel was found quite unwilling to leave the field.
A reluctant Cassel only left after the medical officials asked him to do so.
Cassel later said that he wanted to stay in the game but had been told not to do so.
Tyler Palko was then brought in to replace the injured quarterback and stayed on the field for the remainder of the game. Palko hit a field goal as he played for the Chiefs.
However, Palko proved a poor replacement as he went on to forfeit three interceptions in the next game against the New England Patriots, completing 25 of 38 passes for 236 yards.
Cassel wanted to be in that game but could not participate due to his injury.
The injury to Cassel, who has been to a Pro Bowl in 2010, was a “significant” one as the then coach, Todd Haley, described it.
Following the injury to his hand, Cassel went through a surgery on his right throwing hand that made him miss the remainder of the season.
Earlier, the Chiefs' coach had been optimistic that Cassel would make a return but all hopes ended after the surgery.
The year 2011 thus came to an end for the quarterback who completed 1,713 yards this season. He played nine games, completing 160 of 269 passes and scored ten touchdowns while giving in nine interceptions.
Cassel also looks forward to working with the new head coach, Romeo Crennel, whom he supports.
“I’m really excited about Romeo being our head coach’’, Cassel said.
Cassel said he respected Crennel and wanted to play with him.
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