National Football League

Chiefs lose Cassel, Flowers, then game

Published Aug. 30, 2009 6:58 a.m. ET

foxsports

Seattle's newest player spent the game on the sideline, taking notes. The Seahawks didn't need him the way Matt Hasselbeck picked apart Kansas City's defense.

Hasselbeck threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns with newly signed Edgerrin James watching on the sideline, leading the Seattle Seahawks to a 14-10 win over the Kansas City on Saturday night in a game in which the Chiefs lost quarterback Matt Cassel to a leg injury.

James, the NFL's active rushing leader, signed with Seattle on Tuesday, but spent the game in sweats, pen and notepad in hand. Hasselbeck put on a good show for his new teammate, leading the Seahawks on scoring drives to end the first half and open the second.

Kansas City had a woeful night on offense - its only TD came on defense - and lost two starters in the game's first three minutes: Cassel, cornerback Brandon Flowers to a hurt shoulder. Receiver Devard Darling also had to be helped off in the second quarter, favoring his left leg.

Cassel was the biggest blow.

He was injured the first time he dropped back to pass, dragged down from behind by Brandon Mebane after the pocket collapsed. Cassel called timeout, then limped down the tunnel toward the locker room and didn't return.

Signed to a a six-year, $63 million contract in the offseason, Cassel had a so-so first preseason game against Houston, then spent last week's game against Minnesota running for his life because of numerous offensive line breakdowns.

Cassel was supposed to play into the third quarter against the Seahawks, show what he can do more of the playbook available. Now, it's not clear if he'll even be available for next week's preseason finale against St. Louis.

Hasselbeck got off to a rough start, too. His first pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and picked off by Flowers, who returned it for a 28-yard touchdown for Kansas City's first turnover of the preseason.