The Kansas City Chiefs open their 2012 season Sunday by hosting the Atlanta Falcons at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will be Romeo Crennel's first as the permanent head coach of the Chiefs. Crennel took over last season on an interim basis after Kansas City fired Todd Haley with three games left to play.
The Chiefs welcome back a number of players who missed large amounts of time for injury in 2011. Quarterback Matt Cassel returns to action after missing the final seven games of last season with a hand injury. Halfback Jamaal Charles, who tore an ACL in Week 2 last year, also returns to the field, as does tight end Tony Moeaki, who also tore his ACL and missed the entire season.
Crennel's dealing with a whole new set of injuries this week, though, mostly on defense. Cornerback Brandon Flowers (questionable) is nursing an injured heel, linebacker Derrick Johnson (questionable) has an injured ankle and safety Kendrick Lewis (doubtful) hasn't fully recovered from a shoulder injury. Backup cornerback Jalil Brown may also miss the game.
Former Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez makes his first appearance at Arrowhead Stadium since being traded to Atlanta prior to the 2009 season. The 12-time Pro Bowler has said he will likely retire after this season.
Coverage begins on Fox at noon CT.
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