July 27, 2014; St. Joseph, MO; Chiefs defensive end Mike Catapano (77) during training camp. Photo used with permission from Chiefs PR. Credit: KCChiefs.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs earlier in the week placed defensive end Mike Catapano on season-ending injured reserve from the reserve/non-football injury list.
The daily NFL Transaction report reflects the move occurred Monday, Sept. 22.
Catapano, a second-year pro out of Princeton, battled an illness for most of training camp and the preseason.
He was observed Thursday in the lobby of the Chiefs training facility.
“Mike is back around here and he’s just trying to get his strength back,” coach Andy Reid said after Thursday morning’s walkthrough practice. “I think he’s starting to feel better. I had a chance to visit with him and he’s in good spirits. That’s a positive. Now it’s just a matter of building back up and getting himself back where he gets his strength back.”
Reid declined to say exactly what ailed Catapano, who missed nine training camp practices at St. Joseph, Mo., four practices when the Chiefs returned to Kansas City and all preseason games.
“I’ll hold off on that,” the head coach said. “I’m not even prepared to tell you anything on that. Maybe I can get (head athletic trainer) Rick (Burkholder) to talk to you and get something.”
Reid said Catapano underwent “a million different tests,” but appeared relieved to see Catapano on the road to recovery.
“What he went through,” Reid said, “that was a long process. So it’s better that he just steps back, gets himself back healthy and feeling good and then we go from there.”
