With Bears backup QB Caleb Hanie nursing a right shoulder injury, the word out of Chicago is that the search for a backup quarterback is on.

The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed Tuesday that they have released CB Patrick Surtain, but they also terminated the contracts of LB Donnie Edwards and QB Damon Huard and waived TE Michael Merritt.

The knee injury that knocked Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle from Sunday’s loss to the Titans will also end his season.

Chiefs inactives: QB Brodie Croyle, QB Ingle Martin (3rd), CB Patrick Surtain, RB B.J. Sams, LB Napoleon Harris, LB Donnie Edwards, G Brian De La Puente, T Barry Richardson.

Analysis: QB Damon Huard will start in the absence of Croyle. He’s a viable one-week fantasy replacement based on the matchup vs. Denver’s 32nd-rated pass defense.

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards announced Wednesday that veteran QB Damon Huard will get the start Sunday vs. the undefeated Denver Broncos.

Kansas City coach Herm Edwards will not announce his starting quarterback for Sunday’s game versus Denver until Wednesday. But do not be surprised if, after watching Tyler Thigpen make a series of mistakes against Atlanta, Edwards turns back to veteran quarterback Damon Huard.

The AP is reporting that Chiefs QB Damon Huard left Sunday’s game against the Raiders with what the team is calling “mild head trauma.”

It looks like Chiefs coach Herm Edwards is sticking with his proclimation to give second-year QB Tyler Thigpen playing time in the absence of injured starter Brodie Croyle.