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Fourth-year veteran facing drug charges
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 27, 2006
Chargers strong safety Terrence Kiel was arrested yesterday on drug charges.
The four-year veteran out of Texas A&M was summoned from the practice field after the squad finished its individual drills and before its team period, about a half-hour into practice, sources close to the team said.
He was arrested after that, but no one saw Kiel actually taken into custody.
ESPN.com, citing law enforcement sources, reported last night that plainclothes federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrived at the facility with an arrest warrant, searched Kiel's locker and car and left with the player.
Kiel was charged with possession, possession for sale and transportation of a controlled substance, according to ESPN.com's sources.
Kiel returned to the facility last night after posting bail and spoke with head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
However, neither Schottenheimer nor General Manager A.J. Smith returned phone messages last night.
The team did release this statement:
“We're aware of an off-the-field situation involving Terrence Kiel and we're monitoring the situation. Due to the personal nature of the ongoing legal investigation, the Chargers are withholding further comment until the matter is resolved legally.”
The incident is the second involving a Chargers player and law enforcement this month.
Linebacker Steve Foley was shot three times by an off-duty Coronado policeman on Sept. 3. Foley was placed on the reserve nonfootball injury list and will miss this season.
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It is unclear what, if any, action the Chargers or the NFL will take against Kiel.
Kiel was a second-round draft pick in 2003 and has started 38 games for the Chargers. He was expected to start as a rookie in 2003, but he was shot three times by would-be carjackers in Houston in July and did not start until the last six games of the season. He played well enough this summer to retain his starting job after finishing last season on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Kiel was playing better this season, making a couple of big hits against Oakland and showing improved skills in coverage.
He is tied for fourth on the team with nine tackles this season for the 2-0 Chargers. Despite missing four games with the ankle injury, he fin ished fourth on the team with 59 tackles last season.
If Kiel doesn't play Sunday against Baltimore, the most likely scenario is that the Chargers would play Bhawoh Jue at free safety and move starting free safety Marlon McCree to strong safety.
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Got to love the Chargers, first Foley, now this. I think this will have a negative impact on the team.
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GO RAMS 
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