Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel gets clearance for non-contact practice – NFL News
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel returned to the practice field after being cleared for non-contact drills on Tuesday, October 16, 2012.
Cassel practised for the first time since getting a concussion during Week 5 game against Baltimore Ravens.
The quarterback is likely to be available for Chiefs’ Week 8 tie against Oakland Raiders on October 28, 2012.
Chiefs have their bye this week which will give substantial time to Cassel to get fully fit.
Cassel addressed the media for the first time since getting injured and expressed satisfaction on getting back to the field. He said:
“It was great to be back out there with the team. Great to feel healthy again. It was only a week but it feels like I was gone forever. I was excited to be back out there with the guys. Again, it was an opportunity for me to get better and the team to get
better.”
Cassel’s return will again ignite the quarterback debate in Kansas City. Backup quarterback Brady Quinn started in place of Cassel in Week 6 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Quinn got his first chance after two seasons to start a game but was not able to show good performance and got intercepted twice.
Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel has made it clear that he will give both quarterbacks equal chance on the practice field and will decide who will start after evaluating their performance.
“I decide who’s active. I decide who’s inactive. I will evaluate the situation and I will make the choice. What I told them is I’m rotating the quarterbacks. They will get equal reps. (Ricky) Stanzi will be one who won’t get as many reps.”
Cassel has been going through one of the worst phases of his professional career. He has been inconsistent throughout this season, giving away nine interceptions in just five games. He has also been sacked 13 times.
Cassel has completed 58.5 percent of the passes and has scored five touchdowns. On the other hand, Quinn was 24 of 40 for 212 yards without scoring any touchdown.
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