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Like all Americans, Todd Haley is not different.

In the football world, game weeks turn into marathons of film study and game-planning; particularly on Tuesday’s when the players are enjoying their lone day off. But through the midst of game-planning, Haley remembers exactly where he was on Tuesday, 9/11/01.

“I was with the Chicago Bears; it was a game-plan day for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Haley remembered. “I took a potty break from an offensive game-plan meeting with the coaches. I walked by an open door and heard some of our secretaries kind of screaming out and realized something wasn’t right. That is not a day that will ever be forgotten for all of the reasons that we all know.”

The Chiefs were very much a part of the NFL’s tribute to those that lost their lives on 9/11. Hosting the N.Y. Giants on the first Sunday of football following the tragedy, Chiefs players, coaches and fans gathered as one to honor New Yorkers that day. It was the only time in Arrowhead history that everyone in the Sea of Red gave an opponent a standing ovation.

That game played against the Giants on 9/23/01 may have been the most emotional game ever played at Arrowhead.

Injury Report

The Chiefs received a late week surprise that wasn’t welcoming on Friday when WR Dexter McCluster missed practice due to illness. Apparently the illness is serious enough to possibly hold McCluster out of action for the season opener. On Saturday, the Chiefs officially listed McCluster as “doubtful.”

Kansas City also ruled OLB Cameron Sheffield out of action (neck) and listed T Ryan O’Callaghan (groin) and OLB Tamba Hali (foot) as questionable.

Contingency Plan

The Chiefs have until tomorrow afternoon to make changes to their 53-man roster before things lock up for Monday Night Football. With QB Tyler Palko currently on the practice squad, Kansas City has made preparations should “non-quarterback” need to enter the game as an emergency signal caller.

“We have had multiple guys taking some snaps to prepare,” Haley said. “Anytime you go into a game with two quarterbacks, two actual quarterbacks that are taking quarterback reps during the week, you have to have an alternative plan and you hope that you don’t get to that, but you need one. I feel good that we are prepared from that standpoint.”

Many assumed that WR Dexter McCluster would serve as that player simply from his previous experience as a Wildcat player in college and in the preseason. But with McCluster listed as doubtful, someone else has been taking the emergency snaps at practice.