KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV/AP) -
Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel is still undergoing tests and doctors have ordered rest after he suffered a concussion, coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday.
"He has not been cleared to practice so he will not practice today," Crennel said during his scheduled news conference. "And when the doctors let me know something one way or the other, then I will let you guys know what they tell me."
As a result, backup Brady Quinn is preparing to start his first NFL game since the 2009 season when the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Third-string quarterback Ricky Stanzi is also getting practice time in.
Crennel said he believes Cassel is improving but noted that the NFL takes concussions quite seriously. As a result, the Chiefs must follow league procedures.
Cassel made an appearance at Arrowhead Wednesday but didn't stay long under doctors' orders.
"They want you to rest and take your time with it," Crennel said. "I told him I hope he's getting better. I look forward to seeing him soon."
Cassel sustained the concussion in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 9-6 loss to Baltimore. Quinn finished out the game.
Quinn is a former first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame who has started just 12 games over the past four-plus seasons due to injuries and ineffectiveness.
Crennel said Quinn had good talent when he was drafted. Crennel was head coach at Cleveland while Quinn played there.
"He was a productive quarterback, he had command of his offense that he ran up at Notre Dame and the weapons that he had with him," Crennel said. "When he got to us, we didn't have as many weapons as he had there at Notre Dame, so learning a new system and not having the weapons, he wasn't quite as effective as he had been at Notre Dame."
Crennel said injuries also impacted Quinn's development.
Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Quinn worked together in Cleveland after Crennel left. Despite that, Crennel said he did not ask Daboll his thoughts on Quinn.
"I really haven't asked him what he thought about Brady for that year because, really, it didn't impact me because I wasn't there," Crennel said.
If Quinn starts Sunday, Crennel believes he'll be ready.
"I hope that the fact that he understands the offense and understands the system, he'll be able to step in and be productive," Crennel said. "He's got some height, he's got some experience. He can throw the ball down the field, he can throw it intermediate. I think he has a good command of the offense because he knows what's expected. He knows the calls and can get us into plays, out of plays. Now, he's got to go execute."
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