SAN DIEGO - Matt Wilhelm replaced Donnie Edwards as a starting inside linebacker in the Chargers' defense and is quietly putting up similar tackle numbers.

Wilhelm has 95 tackles despite missing the equivalent of 2 3/4 games with a calf injury. That ranks second on the team behind Stephen Cooper's 120 stops and represents an impressive number for a first-year starter.

Wilhelm and Edwards will play in the same game as opposing players for the first time on Sunday when the Chargers visit Kansas City. Wilhelm missed Edwards' homecoming game in San Diego in September because of his injury, but he occasionally speaks to Edwards.

"It is more us catching up since I hadn't seen him in a while," Wilhelm said Wednesday. "We're still on good terms. I talked to him a couple weeks ago about when we're coming in.

"He has a lot of ties to the city and this organization, so guys are going to want to see him and he'll probably come over to the hotel and hang out for a little while."

Wilhelm said he remains in awe of the tackle numbers Edwards compiled in San Diego despite criticisms about where on the field the player now referred to as "Downfield Donnie" made his stops. Edwards led the Chargers in tackles in all five seasons he was with the team, including a career-best 170 last season.

Edwards leads Kansas City in tackles with 87 and is on track to lead his team in tackles for a 10th consecutive season, a fact that impresses Wilhelm.

"I talked about it last year when I was his backup," Wilhelm said. "As much as I wanted to play and as much as I felt I deserved to start, the guy makes a lot of plays. He's around the football consistently regardless of what type of defense or what position he's playing. He's just around the ball. It's something you can't take away from him."

Remembering Taylor

Wilhelm and linebacker Shawne Merriman were among the players saddened by the shooting death of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor at age 24.

"It's always something that's hard to deal with, even if you didn't know him as a person or a player; just the way things happened is difficult to deal with," Merriman said. "Things like this happen, and it's unfortunate to happen to anybody, especially guys like Sean T."

Merriman said Taylor had taken part in some of Merriman's charity events back in his home state of Maryland. Wilhelm was part of the Ohio State squad that beat Taylor's Miami team in the Fiesta Bowl that determined the 2002 national championship.

"It's just tough," Wilhelm said. "We're in full support of each other. On the field, obviously, you want to win. This is a small fraternity we play in as brothers, and it's tough losing one."

Old man Carney

Kansas City coach Herman Edwards heard a lot of comments from his players Monday when 43-year-old kicker John Carney worked out for the Chiefs. The team signed Carney, an Encinitas resident, the following day.

"Guys were laughing at me when we brought him in here," Edwards said during a conference call. "They said, 'Hey coach, did he play with you?' I said, 'No, I was leaving the league and he was coming in.' "

Edwards, 53, played his last NFL season in 1986. Carney's first season was 1988, and the former Charger has kicked 422 career field goals.

"I'll tell you what, it's good to have him," Edwards said. "It's good to have a solid guy."

Carney replaces Dave Rayner, who was just 15-of-22 on field goals for the Chiefs.

Et cetera

DT Jamal Williams was the only player not to practice Wednesday. The Chargers regularly rest Williams to save wear and tear on his knees. CB Steve Gregory (stinger) did practice. … Kansas City QB Brodie Croyle (back) missed practice, and coach Herman Edwards said if Croyle doesn't practice today, the Chiefs will likely start Damon Huard, who passed for 284 yards earlier this season when Kansas City beat the Chargers in San Diego.

- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

Today's game

Green Bay (10-1) at Dallas (10-1)

Kickoff: 5:15 p.m.

TV: NFL Network

Line: Cowboys by 7

At a glance: Last time two 10-1 teams played was 1990, when San Francisco beat New York Giants 7-3. … In eight career games in Dallas, QB Brett Favre is 0-8 and has thrown eight interceptions. … DE Aaron Kampman has 11 sacks, tops in NFL, while teammate Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is tied for fourth with 9 1/2. … Cowboys QB Tony Romo has 29 TD passes, tying Danny White's single-season franchise record. Romo has NFC-best 105.3 passer rating. … WR Terrell Owens (64 catches, conference-best 1,093 yards) has scored in five straight games, and his 13 TD catches lead NFC and match his total from last season. … Dallas leads NFC in points per game (32.5) and yards per game (388.8). Green Bay is second in both categories (26.9 and 380.4).

- Associated Press