Post by lazarus on Jun 19, 2005 17:42:10 GMT -5
Chiefs CB Julian Battle out with torn Achilles
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Julian Battle will miss the upcoming season with a torn left Achilles tendon.
Battle, who had been working with the first team because of Eric Warfield's legal problems, was injured during a minicamp practice Saturday.
"He's going to be operated on," Chiefs coach thingy Vermeil said. "He popped his Achilles tendon, and he's lost for the year."
Battle, a third-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2003, has played in 26 games for the Chiefs. He made one start last season, as a fifth defensive back.
Vermeil put Battle at the top of the depth chart for the team's latest minicamp because the Chiefs expect the NFL to suspend Warfield for violating the league's drug and alcohol policy. Warfield pleaded no contest in January to one count of driving under the influence in Johnson County, Kan.
The charge was a felony because Warfield has two prior DUI convictions. He was sentenced in March to 10 days in jail and 80 days of house arrest.
Battle was performing well before his injury, Vermeil said.
"We've known for a long time that he has the ability to be (a starter), and he was really demonstrating that," he said.
If the NFL suspends Warfield, Vermeil said, Dexter McCleon would be promoted to start alongside Patrick Surtain.
William Bartee started several games at cornerback before moving to a backup safety spot, but Vermeil said Bartee would not return to his former position.
The team could also sign another defensive back, Vermeil said.
"We'll look, but I don't know what's out there," he said. "We'll also more deeply evaluate those young people we have. We have time. We're not going to panic."
Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Julian Battle will miss the upcoming season with a torn left Achilles tendon.
Battle, who had been working with the first team because of Eric Warfield's legal problems, was injured during a minicamp practice Saturday.
"He's going to be operated on," Chiefs coach thingy Vermeil said. "He popped his Achilles tendon, and he's lost for the year."
Battle, a third-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2003, has played in 26 games for the Chiefs. He made one start last season, as a fifth defensive back.
Vermeil put Battle at the top of the depth chart for the team's latest minicamp because the Chiefs expect the NFL to suspend Warfield for violating the league's drug and alcohol policy. Warfield pleaded no contest in January to one count of driving under the influence in Johnson County, Kan.
The charge was a felony because Warfield has two prior DUI convictions. He was sentenced in March to 10 days in jail and 80 days of house arrest.
Battle was performing well before his injury, Vermeil said.
"We've known for a long time that he has the ability to be (a starter), and he was really demonstrating that," he said.
If the NFL suspends Warfield, Vermeil said, Dexter McCleon would be promoted to start alongside Patrick Surtain.
William Bartee started several games at cornerback before moving to a backup safety spot, but Vermeil said Bartee would not return to his former position.
The team could also sign another defensive back, Vermeil said.
"We'll look, but I don't know what's out there," he said. "We'll also more deeply evaluate those young people we have. We have time. We're not going to panic."
