Kansas City, Mo. ? The pride of Coastal Carolina is stepping up in class.

Injury, uncertainty and Kansas City’s fervent desire to develop young players have thrust Tyler Thigpen from third-team quarterback to starter for Sunday’s game at Atlanta.

To some fans of the Chiefs (0-2), it’s a welcome sign that management is serious about biting the bullet and building for the future. To others, it’s an admission the season is already doomed.

But for a 24-year-old stuck deep on the bench and with an NFL experience until last week consisting solely of six passes, it is a “dream come true.”

“It’s a great feeling,” said Thigpen, the first player from Coastal Carolina selected in the NFL draft. “It’s something you dreamed of as a kid and the actuality is here now.”

The rebuilding Chiefs have 15 rookies on their 53-man roster and a bit of a mess at quarterback. They’re the only team in the NFL that’s had four quarterbacks complete a pass in the first two games, and they’re beginning to wonder about the reliability of their designated quarterback of the future.

In seven starts, Brodie Croyle has had three injuries. A separated shoulder sustained in the season opener is expected to keep him out at least one more week, if not longer.

Career backup Damon Huard, who started last week’s game against Oakland but came out with a stiff neck, is 35 and not in anybody’s long-term plans.

So the door has suddenly swung wide open for a native of Winnsboro, S.C., who didn’t even play quarterback his senior year in high school. If Thigpen does well in his first NFL start, Croyle could meet with unexpected competition for the job everybody thought he owned.

“Look around the league. This is the way this league works,” Thigpen said. “Guys get hurt all the time. It’s an opportunity for me to step in there and perform and get us a win.”

A sturdy 6-foot-1, 220-pounder, Thigpen has shown a quick release and a strong arm.

“We’re constantly trying to evaluate players,” coach Herm Edwards said. “We say we’re trying to grow a quarterback. When do you grow them? You can’t grow them unless they play. And he needs to play.”