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Report: Cassel could miss opener with rib injury

Kansas City Chiefs v Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 1: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs is sacked by Vic So’oto #97 and C.J. Wilson #98 of the Green Bay Packers during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on September 1, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

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Kansas City’s preseason finale proved to be a fitting end to a miserable exhibition season.

The Chiefs lost their second leading receiver from 2010 Tony Moeaki for the season because of an injury in the game. Their starting quarterback is also banged up.

Nick Wright of 610 Sports and Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star reports Matt Cassel has a rib injury that could keep him out of the season opener against the Bills. Wright reports Cassel has a cracked rib. And that could expose one of the shakiest backup quarterback situations in the league.

Teicher reports that coach Todd Haley told backup Tyler Palko after Thursday’s game that he “better be ready to play Sunday.’’

That doesn’t mean Palko will play, but this is not how the Chiefs wanted to be entering the season. Palko was out of the NFL in 2008 and has thrown six career passes, all last year in Kansas City.

The Chiefs essentially chose to keep Palko rather than bring back Brodie Croyle. Rookie fifth-round pick Ricky Stanzi is their No. 3 quarterback.