KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton will be a starter for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday unless an injured finger on his throwing hand prevents him from playing.
Interim Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday that he made the change to jump-start the team’s stagnant offense. Journeyman quarterback Tyler Palko had led the Chiefs to only two touchdowns in four games since taking over for the injured Matt Cassel.
“We made the change and we’ll see how it plays out,” said Crennel, who took over Monday after the firing of Todd Haley. “If it works out with more points on the board, then it’ll be a good change.”
Crennel said that if Orton is unable to play, fifth-round draft pick Ricky Stanzi will start for Kansas City.
Orton took snaps under center with the first-team offense Wednesday during the brief portion of practice that the media was allowed to observe. He was wearing a sleeve on his index finger, which he dislocated on his only play as a member of the Chiefs two weeks ago at Chicago.
Roethlisberger not practicing. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s sprained left ankle remained in a walking boot, and backups Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon are preparing as if they will play Monday night in San Francisco.
Footnotes. Wade Phillips, a veteran coach who has turned the Houston defense into the NFL’s best, will have surgery this week to resolve a kidney condition and will be away from the team for a week to 10 days.
• Deep-threat wide receiver Denarius Moore returned to practice for the Raiders after missing the previous three games with an injured right foot.
• Browns president Mike Holmgren said Pat Shurmur will “absolutely” be Cleveland’s coach next season.
• Titans coach Mike Munchak said he is assuming QB Matt Hasselbeck will play Sunday at Indianapolis until he sees otherwise.
The Associated Press
