Shackleford signed with the Chiefs last May, but was released before training camp after getting a look in OTAs. The Georgia product appeared in 46 games (14 starts) for the Bulldogs, allowing just one sack.

--DE Turk McBride was taking snaps at left defensive end, the spot held throughout training camp by veteran Alfonso Boone, when the Chiefs returned to practice after the Chicago game. Boone was making a transition from tackle to end, while that is McBride's long-time position.

--DT Glenn Dorsey has returned to practice little more than a week after tweaking a knee in an Aug. 2 workout. The Chiefs' top draft pick this year might be available for brief action in Saturday's preseason home opener against Arizona.

--LB Derrick Johnson apparently has been moved to weakside linebacker following three seasons playing over the tight end. Donnie Edwards, when healthy, or backup Demorrio Williams will play on the strong side.

--T Herb Taylor opened at left tackle against Chicago for the injured and absent Brenden Albert. Reviews are mixed, as he had what could have been a killer holding penalty on a second-and-goal situation.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: QB Brodie Croyle -- His numbers against Chicago were awe-inspiring (6-for-10 passing for 82 yards), but the way Croyle directed the Chiefs offense in its 81-yard, 16-play opening drive for a touchdown against Chicago was inspirational for a team needing to believe in its quarterback. His scramble turned a broken play into a first down. His throws were generally on the money, even when slipping receivers weren't in position to catch them. He had five passes of more than 10 yards in the drive.

BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Tyler Thigpen vs. Damon Huard for backup QB -- Second-year man Thigpen continues to take most of the second-team snaps over the veteran Huard, but this appears to come more from KC's desire to develop a young quarterback -- if not Brodie Croyle, then maybe Thigpen -- than any lack of merit on Huard's part. Huard was very solid in taking the KC second-team offense on a 75-yard drive in the two-minute offense for a TD just before halftime against Chicago. Thigpen, playing the entire second half, threw a costly pick that set up a Bears TD, but recovered to direct the 60-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown in the final three minutes.

OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: The Chicago game did little to break the kicker battle deadlock between 16-game veteran Nick Novak and undrafted rookie Connor Barth. The rookie hit a 37-yard field goal, while Novak hit PAT attempts. The two remained close in kickoffs. ... Second-year player Turk McBride will push Alfonso Boone for the starting LDE spot after being moved to the first unit this past week.

ROOKIE REPORT: DT Glenn Dorsey returned to practice Aug. 7 after missing a week of practice and the Chicago preseason game with a mild knee injury. ... LT Branden Albert's July 31 injury has been diagnosed as a foot sprain. He'll likely miss the rest of training camp, and his status for the Sept. 7 opener remains uncertain. ... Second-round DB Brandon Flowers looked comfortable in his first NFL preseason game against Chicago. He gave up some passes, but wasn't badly burned either. ... RB Jamaal Charles ran four times for 13 yards and caught a pass for 12 against Chicago. He also split kickoff returns duties with undrafted rookie Dantrell Savage. ... TE Brad Cottam did a nice job handling three passes for 33 yards against Chicago, but his blocking wasn't as sharp as coaches expected. ... Third-round S DaJuan Morgan saved a touchdown when he ran down Chicago's Garrett Wolfe after a 42-yard run. ... WR Will Franklin, in catching two balls for 31 yards against Chicago, made a big-time grab in going between defenders and absorbing a big hit after grabbing a 22-yard downfield throw from Brodie Croyle. ... CB Brandon Carr, a fifth-round pick from Division II Grand Valley State, settled in nicely after some nervous play initially and played in the No. 1 nickel and as Patrick Surtain's backup against Chicago. ... Sixth-round T Barry Richardson continues to get a significant number of first-team reps when veteran RT Damion McIntosh's sore knees continue to require time off. ... Seventh-round DE Brian Johnston is vying for a spot in the first-team nickel, but he's not there yet. ... Sixth-round WR/KR Kevin Robinson, who has not practiced this week while recovering from offseason surgery, could make his first practice appearance this week. ... Still unsigned is TE Michael Merritt, Kansas City's round 7-b draft pick from Central Florida who has yet to be medically cleared to sign and play. ... Undrafted rookie RB Dantrell Savage was KC's leading rusher with 30 yards on just five carries. He also returned two kickoffs for 36 yards. ... Undrafted FB Mike Cox started with Larry Johnson in two-back formations against Chicago. He had a key 12-yard gain after taking a short pass in the flat following a potential killer holding penalty (against a tackle) on a second-and-goal play.

INJURY REPORT: Missing the Chicago game with injuries were starting LB Donnie Edwards (hamstring), LB Napoleon Harris (knee), rookie DT Glenn Dorsey (knee, since returned to practice), rookie T Branden Albert (foot) and RB Kolby Smith (groin). DE Trevor Johnson has missed nearly two weeks after taking a blow to the head.