Banged up Green adds to Chiefs' woes

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Quarterback Trent Green was at the doctor for X-rays on his sore ribs Monday and is listed as questionable for this week's game at Oakland, Kansas City Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said.

Green went to the Pro Bowl last year and has directed one of the NFL's most prolific offenses for three years in a row. He extended his team record Sunday with his 59th consecutive start at quarterback but was ''banged around pretty good'' in the 34-31 loss to San Diego.

''He got hit a number of times. He got a helmet in the ribs one time,'' Vermeil said. ''It's pretty sore in the back area. But knowing him, he'll get better quickly.

''But we're so spoiled by his consecutive starts, we just take it for granted he's going to be ready.''

Safety Greg Wesley, who injured his hamstring Sunday in pregame warmups, is doubtful.

Vermeil also said running back Priest Holmes would miss another week. It will be the fourth straight game Holmes has missed since spraining medial collateral ligaments in his right knee on Nov. 7 at Tampa Bay.

Counting the Tampa Bay game, the Chiefs (3-8) are 0-4 since he was injured.

''Priest continues to make progress, but I think he's at least two weeks away. He won't be ready for this week,'' Vermeil said. Vermeil indicated the injury may not be healing as quickly as doctors thought it would.

''He's on consistent rehab each day,'' Vermeil said. ''He goes through a rehab program and a treatment program. But there's not a lot of things you can put magic salve on. It's just normal routine that almost everybody in the country uses in regard to that. Tomorrow I understand he'll start in a limited running program.''

Vermeil also responded sharply to criticism that has been directed toward Holmes for not joining his teammates on the sideline during games. Television cameras showed him several times on Sunday sitting in a press-box suite eating snacks.

The NFL limits the number of people who can be in the bench area during games and discourages disabled players from being there, team spokesman Bob Moore said. He said the Chiefs have been fined several times for having too many people in the bench area.

Vermeil said most of the injured Chiefs players also watched the game from the suite

''When you lose, there's criticism of everything,'' Vermeil said. ''If they want to criticize Priest Holmes for sitting up in the box with the rest of the guys, they have a choice. The league prefers them not to be on the field.

''Everyone's complaining about the number of people we have, or everybody has in that box. You're only allowed so many guys (in the bench area).''