Tag: Chiefs camp

Chiefs Patrick Mahomes on ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s injury: ‘We’re getting him back sooner rather than later’

Kansas City #Chiefs Patrick Mahomes on ‘Hollywood’ Brown’s injury: ‘We’re getting him back sooner rather than later’ | @EdEastonJr

As training camp ends, the Kansas City Chiefs are almost ready to start their title defense officially. However, the quest for a three-peat will be off to a slightly concerning start as the team continues to deal with injuries to vital players.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed the media on Thursday for the final time this year at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. He commented on playing without veteran receiver ‘Hollywood’ Brown for the next few weeks due to his injury.

“I guess we’re lucky that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, we lose a little bit of that veteran-type receiver in that room,” said Mahomes. “We have other guys that can replace him a little bit, but to have that much talent and a good understanding of what I want, he’s in the room. I think that’s what’s awesome. He’s talking to those guys and everything like that. So hopefully, we’re getting him back sooner rather than later.”

Mahomes will focus on the many receivers available this weekend and more until Brown returns to the field.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach thanks former franchise QB: ‘He established a winning tradition’

Kansas City #Chiefs GM Brett Veach thanks former QB Alex Smith: ‘He established a winning tradition’ | @EdEastonJr

One of the highlights of training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs this year was the appearance of former quarterback Alex Smith.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach was one of Smith’s guests for the SiriusXM Town Hall from training camp on Tuesday. He used his time to give thanks to Smith, who started 76 games for the Chiefs from 2013-2017.

“I know he’s too humble, but are any of us here right now if it’s not for this guy right here?” said Veach. “He established a winning tradition and a culture, and I mean in this league, it’s so hard to have success and sustained success.”

The Chiefs traded for Smith in the 2013 offseason, and Andy Reid named him the starter shortly after he took over as head coach. In five seasons as the starter in Kansas City, Smith won 50 games and threw for over 17,000 yards and 102 touchdowns against 33 interceptions.

“I don’t think any of us are here, including the guys you see on the field right now, if this guy didn’t come in here and do what he did and really paved the way for all of us,” said Veach. “So thank you, Alex, for everything.”

Since retiring, Smith has enjoyed a growing career in media and continues to be a welcomed face whenever he’s around Kansas City.

Andy Reid shares lineup plans for Chiefs’ preseason matchup vs. Lions

#Chiefs head coach Andy Reid shared his lineup plans for Kansas City’s preseason game against the Detroit #Lions. | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs finished their last day of training camp on Thursday as they get set for Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke with reporters for the last time this year at Missouri Western State University. He addressed his lineup plans for this weekend’s game at Arrowhead Stadium, including more playing time for the available starters.

“As far as the play time goes, the ones will take a half,” said Reid. “Then we’ll kind of fill in after that and just kind of see how the rest of that goes for the third and fourth quarters.”

Reid was thankful for the time at training camp, which gave players and coaches time to build chemistry and prepare properly for the new season. He reflected on camp and looked forward to the start of the regular season.

“I think you’ve been able to see the growth,” Reid explained. “We’ve added a ton into the last few days up here, and the guys have digested it and been able to spit it back and retain it. That’s a positive, and then maybe most of all is getting yourself into football shape and ramping up to your first game against the Ravens. We still have a couple of weeks ahead of us here before all that takes place, but we’ll keep working on it. So we’re not ready yet but we’ll keep working and get ourselves sharpened up a little bit to play.”

The Chiefs will look to stay injury-free during Saturday’s matchup as the rookies get their first opportunity in front of the Kansas City crowd.

LOOK: NBA champion Rasheed Wallace visits Chiefs training camp

NBA champion Rasheed Wallace visits Kansas City #Chiefs training camp | @EdEastonJr

The final days of training camp are underway for the Kansas City Chiefs as they prepare for their second preseason game. Wednesday’s practice had an extra boost with the appearance of NBA champion and Chiefs super fan Rasheed Wallace.

In photos shared by the Chiefs X account, Wallace is shown greeting Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, Trent McDuffie, and head coach Andy Reid. The multiple-time NBA All-Star has often shown his appreciation for the team throughout his career on and off the court.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. recently spoke to Wallace about his fandom and how it started decades ago.

“I became a Chiefs fan in 1992, and the reason being, I was a Montana fan; Joe Montana got traded from the Niners. I wasn’t a Niners fan — an individual of football. I didn’t have a team at the time, and then when he got traded, nobody I knew was a Chiefs fan.” said Wallace. “And so I was like, ‘Oh, man, that’s perfect; we were still in the gutter.’ We weren’t winning. I said, ‘OK, that’s just my team.’ I stuck with them through all the days. That’s the whole Trent Green, then the Alex Smith (eras). I have been there since ’92 for my guys, and now that we are finally winning, it feels stupendous.”

Wallace has transitioned to podcasting after retiring from basketball and is currently a co-host on “The Sheed & Tyler Show,” an Underdog Fantasy production.

Chiefs Connor Embree describes his message to wide receivers to avoid dropped passes

Kansas City #Chiefs Connor Embree describes his message to wide receivers to avoid dropped passes | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl last season with complications on offense, especially with a disappointing performance from their wideouts.

Chiefs wide receivers coach Connor Embree addressed the media on Wednesday, discussing the league-leading dropped passes from last season and his plan to correct them.

“I just kind of mind tap them every day, just to focus. I tell them, if you guys just focus, look the ball all the way in. You’re in the NFL for a reason.” said Embree. “So I thought most of the drops from last year were focus drops where, you know, they had their hands on the ball. It was maybe they’re turning their head away to, you know, make a play with the ball in their hands. So really, just focusing on that, catch it, look it all the way into the tuck, and then become a ball carrier.”

The Chiefs added to their receivers’ room in the offseason to avoid the pitfalls they faced in 2023. The injury to ‘Hollywood’ Brown and ongoing uncertainty regarding Rashee Rice’s status will cause younger stars to prove themselves immediately in the system.

Chiefs Dave Merritt shares insight into the second starting cornerback competition

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Merritt shares insight into the second starting cornerback competition | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are heading into their second preseason game this Saturday with plenty of eyes on their secondary.

Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt has worked with all the defensive backs throughout offseason workouts and training camp. He spoke with reporters after Wednesday’s practice about his aligned vision with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in the search for a second starting cornerback.

“Same thing, you want a guy to step up,” said Merritt. “I mean, 35-Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams have played a lot of football for us. Nazeeh Johnson, of course, is coming back from a knee injury, but you want someone to step up and be able to claim that position and not have a guy rotating and always looking over his shoulder, and so, but we’re looking for the same thing, i echo what Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) said.”

Merritt believes every defensive back in the secondary will be utilized anyway, but having a foundation set of two starters in personnel is essential.

“We have a great thing going here because, you know, the Fab Five, all those guys have played a lot,” said Merritt. “So with 35 and 2, Josh and Jaylen, either guy that goes in there and starts for us, you have to understand, we normally play six DBs on the field, sometimes five, because the NFL puts out three wide receivers, and so these both guys are starters anyway,” said Merritt. “So we (are) really just talking about base personnel when it’s just two wide receivers in the game.”

The following two preseason games will be critical in the coaches’ assessment of the secondary. Merritt’s mentions of Watson and Williams at cornerback indicate where he might be leaning decision-wise.

Veteran Chiefs offensive tackle suffered a shoulder injury during Wednesday’s practice

Kansas City #Chiefs OL Jawaan Taylor suffered a shoulder injury during Wednesday’s practice | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are getting hit again with the injury bug as another starter leaves practice early. Only a few days were removed from the injury to ‘Hollywood’ Brown during the preseason opener to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and another shoulder situation could already affect the starting lineup.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Chiefs starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor went down and was carted off with a shoulder injury that isn’t considered critical at the moment. Taylor made headlines last season for being called out by officials often for false start penalties. He is entering his second year with the Chiefs and has made strides in camp to eliminate those miscues for the 2024 season.

“Chiefs OT Jawaan Taylor suffered a shoulder injury at today’s practice.” posted Schefter to his X account. “One source said the team is “not overly concerned at this time.”

Taylor was a consistent starter at right tackle for the Chiefs last season, and if initial reports are accurate, it would be a sigh of relief if he doesn’t miss any time after the shoulder injury.

Chiefs Dave Toub reveals update on Louis Rees-Zammit’s status vs. Lions: ‘He might not be available’

Kansas City #Chiefs Dave Toub reveals update on Louis Rees-Zammit’s status vs. Lions: ‘He might not be available’ | @EdEastonJr

The final days of training camp for the Kansas City Chiefs have coaches detailing their final messages ahead of the remaining preseason games, which will lead to final roster decisions.

Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters on Wednesday after practice about the plans for kick returns heading into the second preseason game and the revelation about a player potentially out.

“We just need to get more reps out there and make sure that it’s clear what the rules are; obviously, we made a mistake in the game,” said Toub. “End up costing us, but it’s a great learning experience for us.”

Toub understood the mistake from last Saturday’s game and is focused on working with the same group of returners for this weekend against the Detroit Lions. He revealed that he may not have the services of one of his players, with rookie Louis Rees-Zammit not practicing on Wednesday.

“Same guys that you saw. We didn’t get a lot (of kick returns), but there were a lot of touchbacks. So I still want to see other guys. I want to see Rees (Louis Rees-Zammit), but he didn’t practice today.” said Toub. “He might not be available. We’ll see, but I still want to see…there’s a lot of guys I want to see. We got time to do that.”

The Chiefs haven’t officially announced the status of Rees-Zammit, so it will be another thing to look out for as camp wraps up on Thursday.

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy reacts to Alex Smith’s visit to training camp on Tuesday

Kansas City #Chiefs OC Matt Nagy reacts to former QB’s visit to training camp on Tuesday | @EdEastonJr

Many in the franchise appreciated Alex Smith’s tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith’s professionalism, strong play, and mentorship of a young Patrick Mahomes made him a welcome sight around the team.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke with the media on Tuesday after practice about seeing the Chiefs’ former quarterback visiting Missouri Western State University.

“So, first of all, it’s been phenomenal seeing Alex. I was able to see him at the Super Bowl. (He is) such a rare person, just not the player, and we know him, but as a person as well, and what he’s been through. So it’s always great to see him back out here.”

Smith played under Nagy and head coach Andy Reid from 2013-2017, accumulating three Pro Bowl selections and finishing his last year in Kansas City as the league’s passer rating leader. He was traded before the 2018 season to Washington and suffered a life-threatening leg injury. He returned to the field against all odds to finish his career in 2020 as the NFL’s Comeback Player Of The Year.

Rookie Chiefs OL reflects on preseason opener: ‘I love being out here’

Kansas City #Chiefs OL Kingsley Suamataia reflects on preseason opener: ‘I love being out here’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line continues to be their focus as they prepare for a new season.

Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia spoke with reporters on Tuesday after practice, reflecting on his preseason debut and eagerness to do more on the field.

“I only got to play a little bit for the first drive, but shoot, if I get more reps, you’re gonna see more of an animal just coming out there, flying around to the ball, be around the ball a lot.” Said Suamataia. “Just have fun out there at the end of the day.”

Suamataia played with the starters and only saw one series vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he understood that he’d get more work in training camp, practicing with the first team.

“I love being out here, grinding again with all my teammates, growing that bond — defensive side of the ball and with the offensive guys,” said Suamataia. “So it’s really great. It’s a big family, so I love it.”

The injury suffered by Wanya Morris last week held him out of Saturday’s game against the Jaguars. Suamataia hasn’t been officially named the starting left tackle, but he’s gained plenty of momentum before the decision.