Brian

Waters

The Chiefs don’t know how long he’ll be out, but camp isn’t overly important for a guard like Waters. Still, the Chiefs O-line could be a Kyle Turley back spasm away from disintegrating if the injury proved serious.

The Chiefs traded one stud guard for another, with Will Shields (ankle) going down in Saturday’s workout. Shields is expected back for Week 1.

Waters has one year left on his contract, but he’s contemplating retirement this offseason. He’s traditionally skipped voluntary workouts to spend time with his family, and a source confirms his absence has nothing to do with the retirement talk.

Waters is believed to be considering retirement. “I don’t have anything on that,” said McDaniels, who spent a full press conference saying more or less nothing Friday at Patriots rookie minicamp. Waters didn’t participate in the pre-draft conditioning program, and it’s unclear whether he’ll attend OTAs.

Waters says he’ll take 2-3 weeks to decide his future. Signed on the eve of the regular season, Waters went on to start all 16 games. He graded out as the league’s second best right guard by Pro Football Focus. He’s currently set to make $1.5 million in what would be his age-35 season in 2012.

Gronk and the Saints’ Jimmy Graham dominated the field at tight end. The other seven Patriots: QB Tom Brady, WR Wes Welker, LG Logan Mankins, RG Brian Waters, DT Vince Wilfork, DE Andre Carter, and special teamer Matt Slater. The Bengals’ A.J. Green became the first rookie receiver voted to the Pro Bowl since Anquan Boldin in 2003. Quarterback alternates in a weaker AFC field include Tim Tebow and Andy Dalton.

Waters and the Pats have been tight-lipped about his return. The 35-year-old has been absent for offseason activities, but that’s no different than any other year. He always spends the spring with his family, missing voluntary work. Waters had a fine bounce-back season in 2011 as the Patriots’ most consistent lineman. New England will field one of the NFL’s top O-Lines this year.

Belichick wasn’t surprised that Waters was a no-show and described the situation as similar to the veteran’s “excused for personal reasons” absence from mandatory minicamp. “We’ll take it day to day,” added Belichick. “There is no long-term plan.”

With Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer sidelined for the majority of preseason action and Waters staying home, the Patriots offensive line has been manhandled. If Waters returns in the week leading up to the first game -- like he did last season -- it would help fantasy owners feel a lot better about early-season consistency of key Pats players.

The Boston Globe’s Greg Bedard doesn’t “think” Waters is retiring, but there has been plenty of speculation that he might. Waters, 35, may simply want more rest and the Patriots should be amenable. He’s still playing at a high level.