Print edition: 
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —When guard Ryan Lilja left the field with an apparent concussion during Monday night's loss at New England, the Chiefs turned to a replacement who, at first glance, doesn't inspire much confidence.
Rookie Rodney Hudson is short, squat and has a rounded stomach that makes him look like he recently swallowed a bowling ball.
But the Chiefs were impressed enough with what they saw from Hudson against the Patriots that they have no worries about him starting in Lilja's place against Pittsburgh Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have already declared Lilja out for the game.
"He gets that tight jersey on and you see that little belly and you say, 'Bad body,' " said offensive coordinator Bill Muir, who also coaches the linemen. "But he's stout. I was impressed with him the other night under difficult circumstances. On the road, in the noise, in a situation where we had to throw the football — he's got poise uncommon for a rookie.
"One game doesn't make a career, but it was more than encouraging. He's more than ready for what we're going to be asking him to do against Pittsburgh."
Hudson, a second-round draft pick, is one of a handful of rookies who are increasingly claiming more playing time. First-round selection Jon Baldwin, after missing the first few games of the season because of a broken thumb, is the third wide receiver and has 11 catches.
Defensive lineman Allen Bailey and linebacker Justin Houston are playing in obvious passing situations. Jalil Brown played several snaps against the Patriots because the Chiefs were using extra defensive backs on many plays. And nose tackle Jerrell Powe played for the first time because an injury kept Glenn Dorsey out of uniform.
"He was disruptive," coach Todd Haley said of Powe. "He had a couple of opportunities to finish plays that he didn't quite get done, but I do think he looked like he was difficult to block a couple times there. We've all been encouraged about Powe and his development, and we've got a bunch of those guys that are working hard and continuing to make progress and develop.
"When they get their shots, they have to take advantage of it. And a bunch of guys have."
Some of this year's draft picks are playing by the Chiefs' choice and others, like Hudson, have been forced into duty because of injuries to starters. But Haley said wholesale playing time for most rookies won't happen unless the 4-6 Chiefs, who currently sit two games behind the first-place Raiders in the AFC West, fall hopelessly out of the race.
"We are in the mode of doing whatever we need to do to try and win games and stay in this mix because we still are in it," Haley said. "We're by no means out of it, if we start playing ... consistently good football here down the stretch. But right now, we haven't done that in the last three weeks, so we'll continue to work, all of our players, and work to be better and work to keep competition like we've had."
The Chiefs drafted Hudson with the idea he would eventually take over at center for Casey Wiegmann. For now, he's the top backup at center and both guard spots.
Until the New England game, Hudson hadn't played on offense save two snaps in October against Minnesota, when right guard Jon Asamoah had a problem with one of his shoes.
Playing in the second half against New England should help Hudson in his assignment against the Steelers.
"Any experience is good," Hudson said. "I did all right. There's always room for improvement."
Any playing time Hudson gets puts him in line for a promotion to the starting lineup next year. That's what happened this year for Asamoah, who's in his second NFL season.
"On the practice field, Rodney looks like he gets it," Muir said. "You don't always know if he really does because practice tempo is different. But he's a mature football player and a very mature person. He's a natural. I'm not saying to put him on the bus to Canton yet, but his head is always in the game. He understands it mentally and that usually overwhelms rookies. I've been surprised with how easy he learned it."
