[Kansas City.com] Pro Bowl guard Will Shields, who toyed with retirement in the offseason, will leave camp today to get a third opinion on his back.
Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said Shields has struggled with the arthritic condition before, but it is serious enough to put Shields on a plane back to Kansas City today. Shields, who has started 191 straight games, is the anchor of one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.
“I think you always have a little concern,” Vermeil said. “I always hope my concerns are wrong.”
Vermeil said, “I think there was a period of time when Will wasn’t sure what he wanted to do in terms of coming back. I think that influenced his offseason preparation as well. He’s always much further along in his preparation for the league opener than he is right now.”
Back problems also limited two other starters Saturday. Quarterback Trent Green was held back for part of the morning practice on the recommendation of the Chiefs’ trainer.
“He just strained it a little bit yesterday,” Vermeil said. “Nothing serious, but on an extension making a handoff on a running play, believe it or not.”
Linebacker Kendrell Bell missed the afternoon workout because of stiffness in his back.
