The Chiefs have released offensive tackle Jared Gaither just days after he committed a costly false start penalty in a loss to the Steelers. Gaither had come in for one down after left tackle Branden Albert was slow to get up. He was called for a false start, pushing the Chiefs back 5 yards, and they eventually had to settle for a field goal. Kansas City wound up losing 13-9.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley said Monday that Tyler Palko remains the team's starting quarterback, but added that Kyle Orton will be given every opportunity to win the job before Sunday's game at Chicago. "Tyler's the starter," Haley said, "but as we do every week and with every position, if we feel Kyle or Ricky (Stanzi) gives us a chance to win, we'll make that determination." Kansas City claimed Orton off waivers from Denver last week. Palko had four turnovers in the team's 13-9 loss to the Steelers on Sunday night. "Tyler knows he cannot be careless with the football," Haley said. "That being said, throughout the game, a lot of the things Tyler did give us a chance to win that game."

Kyle Orton has joined the Chiefs, but he won't play against the Steelers on Sunday night. Instead, Tyler Palko will start against Pittsburgh. Orton finally joined the Chiefs on Friday, two days after he was claimed off waivers from the Broncos. He'll have the chance to compete for the starting job for the rest of the year. "We have to get Kyle assimilated into how we're doing things," coach Todd Haley said, "and then make decisions as we get closer to the game, and then obviously next week." Haley wouldn't rule out Orton being active against the Steelers, at least in a third quarterback role, assuming he learns enough of the playbook in just 48 hours. Fifth-round draft pick Ricky Stanzi will remain the No. 2 quarterback this weekend.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley says that Tyler Palko will start Sunday night's game against the Steelers, but the newly acquired Kyle Orton would be available as a backup. Orton, released this week by the Broncos and claimed off waivers by the Chiefs on Wednesday, will not join his new team until Friday. "He had a couple of personal things he had to attend to," Haley said.

The Chiefs claimed former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton on waivers Wednesday, according to an NFL source. This means they now will take over his contractual rights for the remainder of this season and the Broncos are free of the $2.5 million they would have owed Orton. The Bears also put in a claim on Orton, but Kansas City had a higher priority. Matt Cassel hurt his throwing hand in the Chiefs' 17-10 loss to Denver on Nov. 13 and had season-ending surgery the next day.

The Chiefs officially ended the season for quarterback Matt Cassel as they have placed him on the injured-reserve list. Cassel injured his passing hand late in last week's loss to Denver. He subsequently had surgery, and Chiefs players were told last week that Cassel would not return again this season.

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel underwent surgery on his right hand late Monday. Kansas City coach Todd Haley said the procedure went "really well," and he held out hope that Cassel might return this season. Cassel suffered an injury to his throwing hand late in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. "We're just giving as much time as we can to see where he is, and as we make decisions, we're going to let you know," Haley said. "But we have not done anything with Matt yet, as far as his status."

Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, a former executive in New England, believes it's "ridiculous" for people to criticize Bill Belichick's recent personnel moves. The Patriots added Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco in training camp. Haynesworth was let go recently and Ochocinco has been a disappointment. "I'm not sure why Patriots fans are disillusioned at different times, because they're going to be in the hunt every year," Pioli said. "They still have great ownership, they still have the best coach in the NFL and there's a lot of good people there that are finding players. It's still a special place. Don't worry, Patriots fans."

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel has had surgery on his injured throwing hand, but coach Todd Haley still hopes that he will be back this season. Cassel hurt his right hand in Sunday's 17-10 loss to Denver. Haley said Wednesday he doesn't know when Cassel will be able to return and the team has not placed him on injured reserve.

Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel could be lost for the season with what his coach calls a significant injury to his throwing hand. Kansas City coach Todd Haley refused to say Monday whether the team had discussed putting Cassel on injured reserve, but he did say "it's a possibility" when asked whether Cassel would be done for the year. "He will probably have to have surgery at some time," Haley said. "The length of it, we're not sure, but there's some optimism. Each person it varies, but it's a difficult injury."