Other than that, there isn't much that can be said with certainty about the Chiefs' long-term quarterback picture.

Brodie Croyle's separated throwing shoulder, an injury overshadowed by Tom Brady's season-ending one in Kansas City's season-opening 17-10 loss at New England, was yet another setback in the Chiefs' attempt to develop a young quarterback.

It was, after all, the third time in seven winless starts that Croyle was injured and unable to finish a game. Durability has always been an issue with the slender quarterback, who this year bulked up to all of 210 pounds. He battled an assortment of injuries at Alabama and doesn't seem any luckier in Kansas City.

The Chiefs, who still love Croyle's cannon arm and football wiles, now have to wonder if they can count on him being available week-to-week on a long-term basis. And while they insist that Croyle will again be their starter when he's healthy again -- anywhere from two to four weeks -- even Herm Edwards is sounding like a coach whose patience is wearing thin.

"When you build your offense, you're building around that guy," Edwards said. "You want to build a system he can handle and be successful in.

"When he comes back he's got to stay healthy. That's the key for him and for us," Edwards added. "We feel like we can win with him and he can do things with our offense to make it go."

There may come a time, though, when the Chiefs may have to abandon the Croyle project and look elsewhere.

"That's something you always have to consider," Edwards acknowledged, "but I don't think it's that point in time just yet."

The dependable but 35-year-old Huard, who led Kansas City to its first touchdown on his first series after replacing Croyle in the third quarter against the Patriots, is the experienced hand who gives Kansas City its best chance to win, Edwards said.

But Edwards also said Tyler Thigpen -- the second-year player who took most of the second-team snaps during spring and camp workouts in the hope that he might emerge if Croyle didn't -- also could play during Croyle's absence.

Whether that's as a starter or a reserve in the weeks after Oakland remains to be seen.

"This week, I don't think it would be fair (to Thigpen)," Edwards said when asked if he considered starting the younger player against the Raiders. "He played a little in the preseason, but Damon gave us some momentum, and hopefully we can keep that going. It just wouldn't be fair to the kid to ask him to open at home.

"He'll get his chances, though, there's no doubt about that."

SERIES HISTORY: 96th regular-season meeting. Chiefs own a 50-43-2 edge in regular season, and 2-1 in postseason play. Raiders snapped a nine-game losing streak in the series with a 20-17 win at Arrowhead in last year's second meeting. Justin Fargas rushed for 139 yards in the game.