Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy says the Kansas City Chiefs training staff was “unprofessional” while treating him for an eye injury he sustained during a Week 1 game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 5.
In an episode of the podcast “McCoy & Van Noy,” Van Noy said he suffered a fractured orbital bone and had to see an ophthalmologist, but was made to wait in the locker room.
“I was disappointed in the way the Chiefs’ training staff handled the situation. When you have an injury, especially a serious injury like mine, you have to rely on the (home) team’s training staff or your doctor,” he said. “They took a quarter of an hour to come down to the locker room to talk to me, and that’s unacceptable to me, because then you think, ‘What if I’m trying to get back in the game? What if I’m really, really hurt?'”
Van Noy added that the doctor or “the doctor’s friend” who evaluated him “was in a double-fisted Styrofoam cup like everything was fine,” and pointed out that Chiefs players gave the training staff an F when they graded the NFL Players Association team-specific report card in February.
“I understand why the Kansas City players gave that training room an F. In my experience, I would have given them an F again later.”
The Chiefs edged out the Washington Commanders in the class rankings, coming in at No. 31 overall. The Ravens gave their training staff a B- and were ranked No. 15 overall.
John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Van Noy didn’t talk to him about the situation, but the linebacker’s comments were relayed to him.
“I don’t know what happened or didn’t happen. I respect everybody involved,” Harbaugh said. “I respect every medical staff in the league. Of course, I respect our team, Kansas City, every team in the league. I have the utmost respect for the guys, especially Kyle Van Noy. He’s my guy. I love him. He’s one of those guys who competes and fights and tries his best to be the best player he can be.”
Van Noy, a veteran in his 11th season in the league, said he did not want to hear from the Chiefs but expressed disappointment with the way things unfolded.
“As a player, people expect you to be professional and take care of your business. When I needed to, I wanted that from them and it seemed like I wasn’t getting it. And then, did they take the time because I’m a Ravens player? … I don’t think that’s the case, but at the same time, I don’t want them to come out and apologize.”
After the news was reported, Van Noy was approached by reporters in the team’s locker room, but he refused to speak.
A Chiefs spokesman said the club declined to comment.
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