Kansas City quarterback Brodie Croyle (12) fumbles after a hit from Indianapolis defensive end Robert Mathis. The Chiefs offense struggled once again in Sunday's 13-10 loss in Indianapolis.

Kansas City, Mo. ? Running back Larry Johnson will probably be out again this week with an injured foot, which means little relief is in sight for a struggling Kansas City offense.

The Chiefs’ anemic attack did get a little spark Sunday with the rocket arm of Brodie Croyle, a second-year man who made his first start at quarterback in a 13-10 loss at Indianapolis. But other than that, the Chiefs figure to keep stumbling along with an aging line that has trouble pass blocking and creating much space for 34-year-old running back Priest Holmes.

“At the end of the day, we’re in a transition phase with this football team,” coach Herm Edwards said Monday. “This is not the team that you’re going to see next year. There are going to be some changes on this team. There’s no doubt about it. We’re going through a transition phase. That’s a process.”

The Chiefs were 4-3 when they went into their bye week, contending in the AFC West and winning praise for finding ways to win while retooling one of the league’s oldest teams. But three straight losses have fans and even some players grumbling their displeasure. Tight end Tony Gonzalez was among those expressing their unhappiness on Sunday with what they considered conservative play-calling by Edwards and offensive coordinator Mike Solari.

Croyle, replacing turnover-prone veteran Damon Huard, was 19 of 27 for 169 yards, including a beauty of a 17-yard touchdown strike to rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who made a leaping catch in the end zone.

“I’m proud of (Croyle),” Gonzalez said. “If that’s what the future holds for him, he’s going to do very well for the Chiefs. We’ve just got to give him the right stuff to work with.”

Edwards said he could understand the players’ frustration.

“When they look at the tape after the game’s over, they’ll see why certain things were done,” Edwards said.