Chiefs cornerback Peters back after one-game suspension

Marcus Peters is back on the practice field for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Whether the star cornerback’s attitude has improved after a series of embarrassing antics earned him a one-game suspension, or whether his return will help a defence that was much improved without him, won’t be seen until the Chiefs play the Chargers on Saturday night.

One thing is certain: Chiefs coach Andy Reid won’t give you a hint either way.

He was asked several questions about Peters during his normal midweek availability Tuesday, and each time he demurred, saying only that “What we do here stays right here.”

That goes for any conversations Reid and Peters had upon his return. Or anything Peters said to the rest of the team. Or basically anything having to do with the All-Pro cornerback in general.

Not surprisingly, Peters was not available during the open locker room period, either.

“None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes,” said Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, the closest thing they have to a team spokesman. “We’re just trying to go, we’re trying to figure it out. We all deal with our own things and we need him. We need him back and rolling.”

That’s probably true with Philip Rivers and the red-hot Chargers coming up. The teams are tied at 7-6 atop the AFC West, and the winner has the inside track on a division title.

But the Chiefs actually had their best defensive performance in weeks - maybe all season - while Peters was away from the team, shutting down the Raiders in a 26-15 victory.