Patriots vs. Chiefs: Matt Cassel Has "Significant" Hand Injury

by Greg Knopping on Nov 14, 2011 4:20 PM EST in Patriots Game Previews

The Patriots likely won't be facing their former teammate Matt Cassel next Monday night, when the Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs.

No, we're not done looking at yesterday's big win for the New England Patriots over the New York Jets, but for a moment, we'll take a look ahead to next Monday when the Patriots host the Kansas City Chiefs.

One of the main reasons I've been looking forward to this game is because of the numerous connections that the Chiefs have to the Patriots organization. Former Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli is the man in charge, Romeo Crennel is the team's defensive coordinator, and Matt Cassel is the team's starting quarterback.

Sure, the Chiefs aren't playing as well as they were last year - a 10-6 season that saw them win the AFC West Division and get to host a home playoff game, but they are still just a game out of first in their division and their cast of characters that are Patriots-related made a potential match-up with them very interesting.

Well, news out of Kansas City may wane your excitement for next Monday night. According to Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has a "significant" hand injury that will require surgery and could end his 2011 campaign. That news pretty much eliminates any possibility of him playing against the Patriots next week.

This is pretty disappointing, as I was really looking forward to seeing Cassel make a return trip to New England (he started 15 games in 2008, leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record in lieu of an injured Tom Brady). In place of Cassel, the Chiefs will be deploying former Pitt product Tyler Palko. Palko has spent time in the Canadian Football League, United Football League, and four different NFL teams since going undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft. Palko has thrown 13 passes in his NFL career.

Poll

Are you disappointed Matt Cassel likely won't be returning to New England next Monday night when the Patriots host the Chiefs?

Yes, I was looking forward to seeing Cassel return

571 votes

No, I'd rather not face him

91 votes

No opinion / Don't Care

175 votes

837 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Yes, was hoping to see him

Actually like to watch him play , and root for him most of the time. Too bad he won’t be here, and I hope his injury turns out not to be season ending, although initial reports are not good. Leesens the dynamic of the game, although Chiefs still have Crennel, who knows a thing or two about the Pats.

by furiousd on Nov 14, 2011 4:37 PM EST reply actions

Terrible News

I like Matt a lot. I hope his injury isn’t as bad a initial reports indicate.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Nov 14, 2011 5:20 PM EST reply actions

Don’t really care if we see him play the Pats or not but Cassel was good for us and left on good terms.

Not excited he’s hurt, wasn’t worried about the Pats facing him.

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by Chemmy on Nov 14, 2011 7:21 PM EST reply actions

i was looking forward to the cassel vs brady matchup

Hideki Matsui: "Kick ass. Pop champagne. And get some ho's."

by Meatface on Nov 14, 2011 7:50 PM EST reply actions

Me too

Feels like forever ago that he played for the Patriots.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Nov 15, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

me too

Without him, we would have looked like Colts fans do right now

Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?

by cruelangelT on Nov 15, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

have to disagree

the Colts aren’t even close to as talented (at other positions) as the Pats

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by upamtn on Nov 15, 2011 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Guess the storyline should now turn to Brian Waters vs. his old team.

He was a beloved player for the Chiefs.

It is what it is

by Middlesex on Nov 14, 2011 8:38 PM EST reply actions

yes he was ... many of us still miss the guy

Pro-Bowler, NFL Man of the Year, major leader on and off the field, in the locker room and the community at large (and at least some of use still believe Waters should never have been released, and that he should still be starting)

glad he’s doing well here for the Patriots and hope he’s truly happy where he is, he most certainly deserves it

by upamtn on Nov 15, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

Don't sleep on Romeo Crennel.

This guy deserves some love

by furiousd on Nov 15, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

I would like to see all the starting QB’s out for next 7 games and replaced by scrub QB’s

Hopefully Vick and Fitzgerald are out for the game when Patriots play them.

Too bad Cassell is out for season.

Houston starting QB is likely out for season but we should know within 2 weeks. They still may be able to manage sufficiently with Leinhart. THE Andre Johnson is now back. Houston looks like they could still be contender.

by prioris on Nov 14, 2011 8:50 PM EST reply actions

Fitzgerald? We don't play the Cards.

In GOD I TRUST>In BB i trust......faith where it belongs!!
Life is about who makes it, not who makes it the fastest! Drive slow homie.

by PatNation85 on Nov 15, 2011 3:39 AM EST up reply actions

pretty sure he means

Fitzpatrick for the Bills.

by AverageJoeEveryman on Nov 15, 2011 8:34 AM EST up reply actions

oops!!!
that’s what i meant

by prioris on Nov 15, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad he won't play, I was looking forward to see him.

He’s one of the few former Pats I like and actually root for, here’s hoping the injury isn’t as bad as the reports say, and he has a speedy recovery.

by e-scofield on Nov 14, 2011 9:31 PM EST reply actions

Green bay on MFN

We have not shot against this team!

by richardlight86 on Nov 14, 2011 11:49 PM EST reply actions

This game is what happens when the Packers are firing on all cylinders...

And yes, they looked every bit as intimidating as their 9-0 record would lead you to believe, but saying “NO CHANCE” when their defense has been pretty bad before this week’s game is a bit senseless, I think. Any given Sunday, man.

"You wanna know which ring is my favorite? The next one." --Tom Brady

by Treima on Nov 15, 2011 3:47 AM EST up reply actions

It will be sweet if Pats get to break Pack's perfect season

Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?

by cruelangelT on Nov 15, 2011 4:25 AM EST up reply actions

Perfect season...

They will still need to beat Detroit twice, plus Chicago at home and NY Giants on the road, not to mention win trap games against lesser teams. Can they do it? Yeah. But it’s not going to be easy. Lots have teams have gone 9-0, only one has gone 18-0. 18-0 took some luck, and (despite what they claimed at the time) was clearly a real grind over the course of the season.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Nov 15, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

schedule will be tougher coming down the stretch for gb.
it’s just plain difficult to go undefeated. there is luck involved also.
i thought colts manager not going for perfect record was just plain dumb
rarely do teams get that chance
at least colt fans could have had something positive last year

by prioris on Nov 15, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

until a team gets to 14-0, they shouldn’t give it much thought

by prioris on Nov 15, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, but...

absolutely it would be the sweetest thing ever for the Pats to break their perfect season in the SB!! I just have trouble looking that far ahead.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Nov 15, 2011 11:35 AM EST up reply actions

every win by GB from here on out will create more stress for their fans wanting an undefeated season. every team they play will be sky high to boot. gb will go thru grinders in remaining game.

by prioris on Nov 15, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

Palko

In college he seemed to have quite a weak arm. It is surprising he is in pro football. Hope to see Price, Ridley and Vereen contribute.

by WRMaurer on Nov 15, 2011 10:04 AM EST reply actions

some of us have been secretly (or not so secretly) hoping to see Stanzi, if nothing else to find out just what we have in the guy, and is he the QBotF for the Chiefs

… but from what I’ve read already this morning, Stanzi’s going to a non-factor, even with Cassel out indefinitely, and it’s all in palko’s capable (or culpable) hands …

a year ago I would have said “omg! Palko?!? no way!” but after this pre-season he’s actually looked (almost) like a real QB … besides, he still knows how to hand-off, and jackie Battle is … well, ok, he’s no jamaal Charles, but hey, a guy can dream, right?

by upamtn on Nov 15, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

Matt

I would have hoped to see Cassel play and if I were in the stands, I’d be giving him an ovation before the game starts. I think Pats’ Nation appreciates the workman-like way he kept the ’08 season together.

by NE Habs Fan on Nov 15, 2011 11:20 AM EST reply actions