THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 6, 1995 TAG: 9511060190
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KANSAS CITY LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green may have a decision to make in the next couple of days - and it's not where to take the family during the team's bye week.
Green, the team's 13-year veteran cornerback, suffered a strained left Achilles' tendon during the third quarter of Washington's 24-3 loss here Sunday. Because the Redskins don't play again until Nov. 19, team doctors declined to offer an initial diagnosis on whether surgery is necessary. That won't come until later this week, when they've had a better chance to examine the leg.
Green, who intercepted the first Kansas City pass of the second half, was injured helping make a tackle on Marcus Allen's four-yard run on a third-and-one play from the Washington 36.
``When I got up, I could hardly walk,'' Green said. ``When I got to the sidelines, I found out there had been a (holding) penalty called and I said to let me go back and try it out.''
Green broke up Steve Bono's pass for Webster Slaughter on the replayed third down, but ``I was through at that point.''
Even if surgery is recommended, Green said he still may opt for rehabilitation instead.
``When you get older, you don't want another operation,'' Green, 35, said. ``I'm not a spring chicken, or spring hen, or whatever they call it. Right now, I'll rehab it, do what I have to do, and let the chips fall where they may.
``But I will say this: I'm still optimistic about it. I expect to play when the games start again.''
HEATH'S BACK: Heath Shuler's statistics from his first appearance at quarterback since opening day against the Arizona Cardinals look awful on the surface - 1 for 5 passing for four yards, with two interceptions. But neither of the interceptions could be classified his fault.
On the first, Shuler's pass for fullback Marc Logan skipped off his hands and right to Kansas City's Mark Collins. He returned it 20 yards before fumbling when hit by Terry Allen, with the Redskins recovering.
Shuler's second interception, two snaps later, came on a pass tight end Jamie Asher should have caught. Kansas City cornerback Dale Carter came up with it instead and the Chiefs ran out the clock.
Shuler was on the field for just eight plays, one of them a sack by Chiefs tackle Dan Saleaumua.
``It was good just to get back in there and move,'' said Shuler, who conferred with agent Tom Condon after the game. ``It felt pretty good, I tried to do as much as I could.''
Shuler said he thought there was ``a good chance'' he would return to the starting lineup when the Redskins play Seattle on Nov. 19 - something coach Norv Turner indicated wasn't likely, but didn't rule out. Shuler added that he'd be satisfied with whatever decision Turner made.
``It's always been his decision and I'll be happy either way,'' he said, ``because I know that Norv's decision will be based on what he thinks is best for the team.''
THIS N' THAT: Besides Green, other Redskins injuries were suffered by defensive end Sterling Palmer (sprained right knee), receiver Leslie Shepherd (strained left hamstring), and right guard Tre' Johnson (sprained right knee/ankle). ... Matt Turk's 10 punts were four short of tying the team record set by Sammy Baugh against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 5, 1939 - 56 years to the day. Turk, fighting to control the ball on this blustery day, finished with a 39.7 average despite a nine-yarder late in the first quarter that helped set up a Kansas City touchdown. ... The Redskins converted just 1 of 14 third-down plays. by CNB