The first person I ran into while entering the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis for Sunday's Falcons-Rams game was none other than Peterson, the former Chiefs' president/general manager.

Peterson was at the game on behalf of Fan Vision, a video tool for fans at NFL games that shows video, stats and other features of games around the league, comparable to the hand-held computers seen at NASCAR events.

Both of the Chiefs' starting guards, Brian Waters and Ryan Lilja, will play today, as will free safety Kendrick Lewis. But Dexter McCluster is out for the fourth straight game.

The other Kansas City inactive players: tight end Tony Moeaki, safety Jon McGraw, fullback Mike Cox, cornerback Jackie Bates, linebackers Justin Cole and Charlie Anderson and defensive tackle Anthony Toribio.

Keep an eye on Kansas City's passing game without both McCluster and Moeaki. The Chiefs might not pass at all.

In what maybe a first in the history of football, Thursday’s practice was described by one of those in attendance as ''fun.''

The speaker was coach Todd Haley. Still, it’s a rare description, particular for a practice session held in November, almost four months after the Chiefs started this daily grind.

''It just felt like the guys were enjoying themselves out there and that it was a good, spirited practice,'' Haley said.

Almost lost in the dozens of other issues the Chiefs faced in their game in Denver was the fact they benched right tackle Barry Richardson and replaced him with Ryan O'Callaghan during the second quarter.

Richardson blocked the wrong defender instead of blitzing linebacker Mario Haggan on the play in which Haggan sacked Matt Cassel and forced him to fumble. Denver's Jason Hunter picked up the fumble and ran it back 75 yards for the touchdown that put Denver up 35-0.

Tight end Tony Moeaki was the only player missing from the practice field when the Chiefs began today's workout. Moeaki took a hit to the head on a kickoff in last week's game against Denver.

Guard Brian Waters, who left the game in the second quarter with a groin injury, was at practice but not participating in individual drills. His spot was taken by rookie Jon Asamoah.

The Chiefs could have their most extensive injury list of the season when they issue their practice report later today.

The Chiefs placed linebacker Mark Simoneau on the injured-reserve list, ending his season. The Chiefs didn't disclose the nature of the injury. Simoneau, who once played in college at Kansas State, was signed only last month and he played only on special teams.

To take the roster spot, the Chiefs re-signed linebacker Charlie Anderson. Anderson was released last week when the Chiefs promoted safety Ricky Price from the practice squad.

In addition to his apology, Todd Haley said today he let some of the players make a choice on whether they stayed in the Denver game despite the huge deficit in the fourth quarter.

That's why Matt Cassel was in the game until the end even though the Chiefs had no shot of catching the Broncos.

''Matt (was) in that group of guys that said, 'I’m part of why we’re in this situation and I want to end as part of it.' '' Haley said. ''I’ll always have great respect for the players that feel that way and feel strongly about it.''

Chiefs coach Todd Haley apologized today at his news conference for refusing to shake the hand of his Denver counterpart, Josh McDaniels, after Sunday's 49-29 loss to the Broncos in Denver.

''I do believe in doing what's right and that was not right,'' Haley said. ''I probably let the emotions of the situation get me too much. I apologize to the fans and to Denver and to Josh.

''It's necessary to let everybody know that I would do that over again at the end and that it wasn't the right thing to do.''

Chiefs coach Todd Haley didn't say much Sunday evening about the reasons why he refused to shake hands with Denver coach Josh McDaniels after the Broncos' 49-29 victory at Invesco Field.

After the final whistle, Haley and McDaniels met at midfield, and the Chiefs coach pointed at McDaniels and said something, then turned his back instead of shaking McDaniels' hand.

Asked about the altercation, Haley said only that it was a "private" moment and that he wouldn't elaborate.

Brian Waters left the game with what the Chiefs are calling a groin injury. They're also saying his return for this game is questionable.

But when Waters leaves the game, it's always a serious matter. He's being replaced by rookie Jon Asamoah, who may inhabit the left guard spot for the time being.