HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, great seeing everybody. I appreciate you guys being here. I just have one thing. Nate [Wiggins] was in a car accident a couple days ago. They were kind of working through it. Looks like he's not going to be able to make it to the game, so he'll be out for this game with that. He's fine, he's healthy, he's fine. He's just not going to be able to play. What questions do you have?"
The Chiefs were sort of determined to double cover TE Mark Andrews. Did that create opportunities for TE Isaiah Likely, and do you think that sort of shifts your focus now on his breakout game? (Todd Karpovich) "Yes, I mean, that's what you hope – that you have different guys in different spots to draw attention in different ways. Hopefully your route combinations and running the ball and throwing the ball, and all the different things you do put people in conflict defensively. Where do you move your coverage? Who do you cover? Who do you put on who? If we can create those kinds of problems throughout the season, that would be a big plus for us."
With the Raiders playing the Chargers in Week 1, with your brother Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers' coach, have you had any correspondence with him related to Week 2? (Kyle Phoenix) "Yes, we always talk. It's amazing; it's probably overrated. Everybody has similar information. Really, what it boils down to is how you approach it; how you want to game-plan it – that kind of stuff. We can see on tape what they did, and you try to build your plan yourself, so I don't think there's too, too many secrets out there."
With CB Nate Wiggins, I know you said he was OK. Is this more of a week-to-week situation that you guys are going to continue to monitor with him? (Cordell Woodland) "I don't know. It was a car accident. It's funny, I've heard it said like ... Sometimes you guys will ask a question, and I'll go like ..." (stares silently) "You know why? Because I have no idea what the answer is. I have absolutely no idea what the answer is. And I say, 'Well what am I going to say, because I don't really know what.' I mean it's a car accident, and it doesn't seem real serious. Beyond that, what do I know? I don't know anything. I'm coaching the team and trying to get ready to play. That's really what it is. The doctors don't even know if I'm being honest. The doctors don't know, and they're the doctors. And as you see, I'm not a doctor, right? But they don't know half the time. That's proven true – you guys have been to the hospital and stuff. They try to figure stuff out as best they can. So, we'll see."
How does the injury to CB Nate Wiggins change your secondary rotation? (Cordell Woodland) "[Nate Wiggins' injury will] change [our rotations]. Yes, we'll get certain guys in there that will go in there and play and play very well."
We saw OLB Kyle Van Noy back out at practice. Anything you can say? (Jonas Shaffer) "Yes, he's out there practicing. We'll just have to see how he responds, see how he feels tomorrow and see if he can go [on Sunday]."
Before the game on Sunday, the Ravens will be honoring late offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris and late WR Jacoby Jones. How emotional do you think that's going to be for you and the rest of the team? (Jamison Hensley) "Yes, it'll be a challenge. I'm just glad we're doing it – it's awesome. The Ravens over the years, led by [Ravens owner] Steve [Bisciotti] and all the great people here have always been great about those kinds of things. Even the stuff they put out – with the videos and tributes and things like that – just honoring the people that played here [and] coached here; all those kinds of things. It's pretty awesome, and I'm happy they're doing it and proud that they're doing it. It'll be a strong moment for the families and for friends and for all of us, and then we have to go play a game. So that'll be what we have to focus on and try to honor them by the way we play."
OLB KYLE VAN NOY
On how it felt to be back at practice today: "It felt really good. I'm feeling good, feeling optimistic; I still have two days [to improve before Sunday's game], obviously, and [I'm] just trying to do everything I can, and we're looking to go 1-0 this week against the Raiders. They're a good team, they've had success traveling east. Most West Coast teams don't have as much success as the Raiders have, and they've done a good job with Antonio Pierce leading the helm."
On if he expected to be practicing this soon after suffering an orbital injury last Thursday: "I'm just grateful for the specialists that I have, and the doctors that have treated me. I'm very appreciative in everybody that's been involved in this, and [I'm] just taking it one day at a time. Like I said, 48 hours is still a long ways away, and we'll see."
On if any special equipment is required for him to be able to play: "If I play, I'll talk to the equipment [staff] and the doctors to make sure I have the proper gear. I'll definitely wear a visor – that's for sure, but [I'll] do everything necessary to be ready if I play."
On if the orbital injury he suffered is treatable, or if it just needs to be rested: "When you have a bone break, it's kind of [you need] time, right? That's just with any bone whether it's a finger, foot, or anything like that. You can obviously have surgery, and just time is probably going to be the [most helpful in healing it]."
On if he needs to cleared by the doctors in order to play on Sunday, or if his status is based on pain tolerance: "I think I'm just going to do what's best for me, and the doctors are going to do what's best for me as well, so I think it's going to be a tag-team effort. And honestly, I've just been grateful for the specialists that I've talked with. Everybody has been awesome in that regard, and I've gotten awesome responses from them [and] being able to communicate with them [and] being able to meet with some of the best specialists for a long period of time to get all of the questions that I had asked and [that were] answered. It's been awesome."
On if he has more to say about his comments about the Kansas City training staff: "Of course I have more to say, but I'm not going to get into that, just because I'm honestly all focused on the Raiders now. I obviously have a lot to say about it, but at the same time, there's no point to continue to go back and forth, 'You're right, or I'm right.' However, I'm just focused on the Raiders. [I'm] excited to potentially play, and I [was] excited be back out with my teammates today. I thought today was a great practice, and [I'm] just looking forward to the next 48 hours."
On if he had any other interactions with the Chiefs' training staff: "Nope."
