First Award For Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster: Rookie Of The Week

Kansas City Chiefs WR/RB/KR/PR/OW Dexter McCluster is starting to collect the hardware. After already winning special teams player of the week, he's now taken home the NFL rookie of the week award.

The Chiefs rookie had a good amount of hype surrounding him as he entered his first NFL regular season game. He had been electric, at times, during the preseason showing folks he can score from any point on the field.

He showed that on Monday night against the Chiefs -- but as a returner.

Here's the rookie of the week story on NFL.com:

McCluster returned three punts, including one for 94 yards for what would end up being the winning touchdown in the Chiefs' 21-14 win over the San Diego Chargers.

McCluster was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies. The other finalists were safety Nate Allen of the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive tackle Tyson Alualu of the Jacksonville Jaguars, running back Jahvid Best of the Detroit Lions, and wide receiver Mike Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here's the thing -- McCluster only went to return that punt because Javier Arenas had been on the sidelines sucking wind after playing a bunch of nickelback snaps. Chiefs coach Todd Haley recognized that and sent McCluster in.

McCluster hasn't returned kicks and punts his entire life but has always sounded excited to do it when we've talked to him. He said during the preseason when he was given the opportunity his "eyes lit up."

It'll generally be Arenas back there returning kicks and punts while McCluster has a larger role on the offense. He only had one carry and two receptions against the San Diego Chargers so my guess is that the Chiefs would do more to get the ball in his hands moving forward.