<
>

Williams joins KC's crowded group of WRs

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs have no shortage of candidates to replace the departed Dexter McCluster as their slot receiver. The popular choices are holdover Junior Hemingway, CFL veteran Weston Dressler, rookie De'Anthony Thomas and developmental prospect Frankie Hammond Jr.

An already-crowded field gained one more body Monday at Missouri Western State University when the Chiefs began a three-day camp for rookies and selected veterans. Kyle Williams returned to full participation after tearing the ACL in his left knee last year for the second time.

It's wise not to overlook Williams as the Chiefs search for McCluster's replacement. He's fast and has more career NFL catches, 47 in four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, than all of the other main candidates combined.

There's a reason the Chiefs claimed Williams off waivers last November and a reason they re-signed him as a free agent in the spring. They wanted to get a look at Williams in Andy Reid's offensive system.

The Chiefs didn't get much of a chance to do that last year. He played in only one game for them before re-injuring the knee.

"It looked like I was going to have some serious game-plan activity last year when I got here," Williams said. "But crazy things happen. The thing about it is that they gave me their word they wanted me back and they followed through on that."

Williams completed a quick rehab after having surgery in December and appears ready to compete for a job when full-squad training camp begins on Thursday.

"The knee feels good," Williams said. "It feels stable. It feels like a solid knee. I feel like myself out there. I felt like last year when I came in I could help. I feel the same way this year."