Thigpen gets NFL shot with Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen made his third appearance of the season last Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Trailing 34-0 in the fourth quarter, Thigpen played the final three offensive series for the Chiefs, replacing an ineffective Damon Huard.

Thigpen, a former Coastal Carolina and Fairfield Central High star, completed 5 of 10 passes for 37 yards and rushed for 16 yards on four attempts. Thigpen's 16 yards were 14 more yards than Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson.

"It's very disappointing that we didn't play better," Thigpen said. "There are some things we are going to have to look at film-wise and correct those things."

The Winnsboro native has completed 33 of 79 passes for 316 yards with four interceptions and two touchdowns this season. Thigpen started his first NFL game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 21.

"Playing in the NFL is a dream come true," Thigpen said. "You are awake now and it's reality. It's an exciting feeling being out there on Sundays. That's what you worked your whole life for. Growing up as a kid, you go to high school then to college, now I'm here in the NFL. It's an exciting feeling."

Engram back in lineup

Seattle wide receiver Bobby Engram played in his first game of the season after missing the Seahawks' first three games with a broken collarbone.

Engram, a former Camden High School star out of Penn State, led the Seahawks with eight receptions for 61 yards. However, not even the return of Engram did the Seahawks much good as they were pummeled by the New York Giants, 44-6.

"I feel fine," Engram told the Tacoma News-Tribune. "You want a chance to get hit, to get in the game; that's what you like as a receiver.

"You like to get involved early, especially if you've been out for a while."

Engram has 606 receptions for 7,262 yards and 35 TDs during his 13-year NFL career.

Miller practicing

New York Jets cornerback Justin Miller started to practice this week and could be in the lineup today against Cincinnati.

Miller, a former Clemson star, has missed all four games this season after dislocating his big toe in the preseason.

"He's had a string of setbacks," Jets coach Eric Mangini told the Newark Star-Ledger. "(We) went through the things that he can improve on. I anticipate him coming out and having a good week of practice and being right back in the mix."

Miller was an AFC Pro Bowl selection in 2006 as a kick returner. He missed most of last season with a knee injury.

"It's adversity," Miller told the Star-Ledger. "The better you can deal with it, the stronger it makes you as a person.

"You got to learn to get through it. I'm not down on myself or feel like I have bad luck. It's just life."