KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -Kansas City quarterback Trent Green, who was knocked unconscious in the Chiefs' season opener, has been cleared to practice.

Green has missed nearly six weeks while recovering from a severe concussion he sustained Sept. 10 against Cincinnati. The veteran quarterback lay motionless on the field at Arrowhead Stadium for 11 minutes after the blow from Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers, before being carted away on a stretcher.

``Based on what they've seen this week, they're going to let him start practicing and (doing) pretty much everything we do in practice during the week,'' Chiefs president and general manager Carl Peterson said Friday.

``That does not mean he's been cleared yet to play, but it's a big step,'' Peterson said.

Green, who had started 81 straight games before the injury, is expected to begin 7-on-7 and 9-on-7 team workouts on Wednesday. The decision came late Friday after evaluations by the team physician, Dr. Jon Browne, and two neurologists.

Peterson said backup Damon Huard is expected to start his fifth game on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. He also is likely to start the following week against Seattle.

``We're still anticipating Damon to be the starter for the next week (against Seattle),'' Peterson said. ``But we'll see how fast Trent comes along.''

Huard took the majority of snaps during a practice Friday as Green tossed a football on the sideline. Green has been involved in team meetings for weeks and made the team's road trips to Arizona and Pittsburgh.

``I'm pleased with the progress, and I think he is, too,'' Peterson said. ``I think he's going to be even more pleased to get out there and start practicing with his uniform on. The practice is going to be controlled. It has to be. And we're going to see how he responds.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.