Tag: Chiefs

Chiefs scout attends Colin Kaepernick’s workout despite location change

Only six teams were reported to have representatives after the workout with a last-minute location change.

Most teams didn’t show up to QB Colin Kaepernick’s workout, but the Kansas City Chiefs were one of the few teams represented.

Kaepernick and his camp felt no choice but to arrange their own workout and switch locations after the NFL refused transparency in the workout they had arranged. The alternate location was reported to be a high school, roughly an hour away from the Falcons’ facility. There were as many as 24 teams expected to be represented at the initial workout and only six of them showed up at the new location to see Kaepernick throw. The Chiefs were represented among those six teams with scouting assistant Ricky Seale in attendance.

Nothing about this situation was ideal from the get-go, but Kaepernick continued along with his plan to hold a workout. When it was all said and done, those in attendance and watching the stream seemed to be impressed with several facets of his game. First, they liked that he was still in football shape, despite the short notice of the workout. He also showcased the signature arm strength that was part of his repertoire when he first entered the NFL. His accuracy was shaky at times during the throwing session, but that’s to be expected. Kaepernick also had a chance to showcase his ability to throw on the run, which was always one of the stronger parts of his game in the NFL.

Following the workout, Kaepernick addressed a few of the scouts in attendance, including and urged them to relay a message to the owners of the teams they represented.

I can’t imagine the comment will be taken well by those in charge of making the decisions.

The Chiefs, of course, aren’t in need of a quarterback right now. They have four players at the position between the active roster and the practice squad.  It’s important to keep in mind that Kaepernick’s workout wasn’t necessarily held with this season in mind as we’re already well into the 2019 season. Good teams always look for ways to make their team better, no matter who they already have at the position. This feels like one of those situations for Kansas City, but we’ll see how things play out for Kaepernick in the future.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sends prayers to injured Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending injury and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sent his prayers.

One of the best football players in college football suffered a devastating injury on Saturday.

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered what is believed to be a hip dislocation injury. He was carted off the field and air-lifted to a hospital for further treatment. He likely won’t play another down for the Crimson Tide as a result of the injury. The type of injury also leaves doubt about his future in the NFL, as some have evoked the injury that ended Bo Jackson’s career. Tagovailoa was scheduled to enter the 2020 NFL draft following this season.

An outpouring of support has come from all walks of the football spectrum. From former teammates to old rivals, everyone is sending their prayers and hoping that they’ll one day see this talented football player return to the game he loves. The list of well-wishers includes Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Check it out:

“Prayers up,” Mahomes wrote on Twitter while tagging Tagovailoa. “Hope this is just a minor setback in a bright future.”

Mahomes, who suffered a scary kneecap dislocation injury earlier this season, perhaps knows what Tagovailoa is going through at this moment more than anyone. The frustration of not being able to get back out there and play with your brothers, it’s a lot to handle as a competitor and leader.

At the very least, Mahomes recognizes the talent and ability that Tagovailoa has. He’s a fan of his game, and like all the other fans out there, he hopes to see a comeback for Tagovailoa after he rehabs and recovers from this injury.

Final injury report for Chiefs vs. Chargers, Week 11

A look at the final injury report of the week complete with game status designations for the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers have completed their final practice ahead of their Week 11 matchup in Mexico City.

Check out the injury report with game designations for the Chiefs down below:

Player Injury Designation*
QB Patrick Mahomes Knee –
DT Derrick Nnadi Elbow –
DT Chris Jones Groin –
CB Kendall Fuller Thumb Questionable
LT Eric Fisher Groin –
LT Cam Erving Ankle –
RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Ankle –
DE Frank Clark Neck –
WR Sammy Watkins Groin –
RT Mitchell Schwartz Knee –
TE Blake Bell Ankle Out
DE Emmanuel Ogbah Pectoral Out
DE Alex Okafor Ankle Out
RB Damien Williams NIR Questionable

* Out = Won’t play | Doubtful = Unlikely to play | Questionable = Possible to play

Nothing too out of the ordinary for the Chiefs here. Andy Reid expected Bell, Okafor and Ogbah to all be ruled out for this week’s game. Damien Williams is expected to join the team and travel to Mexico City, but the questionable designation suggests there remains a possibility that he doesn’t.

Kendall Fuller did participate in practice this week but was downgraded to a limited participant, so his questionable status suggests a setback or that the team may not be entirely comfortable with how he’s catching the ball in his return from injury.

The big story for Kansas City is the two starters along the offensive that will return for this game. Eric Fisher and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be back in action. It’ll be the first time that Fisher has played since Week 2 of the 2019 season. Mitchell Schwartz is also expected to play after being limited in practice all week. That’s going to be a massive boost for the Chiefs going into an important AFC West showdown.

Check out the injury report with game Chargers for the Titans down below:

Player Injury Designation*
LB Denzel Perryman Knee –
DT Justin Jones Shoulder –
OG Dan Feeney Shoulder –
S Roderic Teamer Groin Questionable
DT Cortez Broughton Illness –
WR Geremy Davis Hamstring Doubtful
OT Russel Okung Groin Doubtful
OT Sam Tevi Knee Out
RB Justin Jackson Calf Doubtful
LC Cole Mazza Illness Questionable
LB Thomas Davis NIR –
OT Trey Pipkins Toe –
LB Drue Tranquil Calf Questionable

* Out = Won’t play | Doubtful = Unlikely to play | Questionable = Possible to play

The Chargers only ruled out Sam Tevi, who had knee surgery recently. Their other starting offensive tackle, Russel Okung, was downgraded to doubtful on Sunday. That makes him an unlikely candidate to play on Monday night.

After returning to practice in a full capacity, Roderic Teamer is still getting the questionable designation. He’s been doing a good job filling in for Derwin James, who is currently on injured reserve.

Two backups are listed as doubtful in Justin Jackson and Geremy Davis. Long snapper Cole Mazza is still dealing with an illness, that’ll be an interesting one to watch.

Linebacker Drue Tranquil was a late add to the injury report with a calf injury. He originally had no game status but was downgraded to questionable on Sunday. He’s their most athletic at the position, so this is also one to keep an eye on.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for any changes or late additions to the injury report.

Clark Hunt provides update on Chris Jones extension talks

Where are the Chiefs at with Chris Jones in terms of contract negotiations?

The Kansas City Chiefs brass remains hopeful that the team will be able to extend the contract of defensive lineman Chris Jones.

Jones is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2019 season. He joined the Chiefs as a second-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Mississippi State University. Jones spent a portion of the 2019 offseason holding out in hopes of coming to an agreement with the team on a contract extension, but he ended his holdout before training camp and has played out this final season.

On Wednesday, Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt confirmed that the team is engaged in continuous discussions regarding an extension for Jones with his agents the Katz Brothers.

“There have been ongoing discussions with Chris’ representatives,” Hunt said. “As I mentioned in the preseason, we are very hopeful that we can extend Chris’ contract and bring him back to Kansas City for many years to come. He is obviously a fantastic player, a great guy in the locker room and we’re glad to have him a part of the Chiefs.”

The question remains whether both sides will be able to come to an agreement on an extension. The two sides didn’t appear to be close to an agreement ahead of the 2019 season. This was the statement released by his agents at the onset of training camp:

“He knows his value and if he has to play out his deal in order to reach free agency, then that’s what he will do. For now, he’s focused on winning a Super Bowl for Kansas City.”

Jones is only gaining leverage in contract negotiations as his role expands beyond simply playing the defensive tackle position. With an injury to defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, Jones will be tasked with playing more defensive end. Interior players tend to be valued less than those that can provide pressure off the edge.

“Yeah, it will be a little back and forth,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said of Jones’ role on Friday. “He’ll probably end up playing both for us now.”

Jones has missed some time with a groin injury and his numbers are down from the 2018 season, where he set career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, pressures and sacks. The Chiefs haven’t seen a decline in his play in 2019. Hunt, in particular, has come away impressed with Jones.

“Absolutely, I think that he has played extremely well,” Hunt said. “He has transitioned to the new defensive scheme, I think, very well, and has been a part of the success that we have had in improving the defense.”

How Jones and the defense finish out the season in Kansas City is perhaps the most important factor in the Chiefs’ decision to retain Jones.

Report: Chiefs will have scout in attendance for Colin Kaepernick’s workout

A new report says the Kansas City Chiefs will have a scout in attendance for Colin Kaepernick’s workout.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be among the teams in attendance for former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s workout in Atlanta on Saturday, according to a new report.

The Chiefs weren’t originally listed among the 13 teams that had confirmed they would attend the workout as of Thursday. Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt did mention during his Wednesday press conference that he wouldn’t be surprised if general manager Brett Veach sent a scout for the workout.

Kansas City Star beat writers Herbie Teope and Vahe Gregorian confirmed that the Chiefs will, in fact, have a scout in attendance.

Kansas City isn’t in need of help at quarterback. They have three quarterbacks on the active roster: Patrick Mahomes, Matt Moore and Chad Henne. Plus they have Kyle Shurmur on the practice squad. It’d take a major injury or two for the Chiefs to consider adding Kaepernick.

It’s hard to see Kansas City as a team with a genuine interest in adding Kaepernick now or in the future, but there are other benefits to having a scout in attendance. Obviously, being diligent with any player that can make your team better is important. Attending as a professional courtesy to the league, which set up this unprecedented workout, is also a big factor here. At the same time, looking at players that your opponents might take interest in is also a useful tool.

Kaepernick hasn’t played since the 2016 season, during which he and then-teammate Eric Reid ignited a firestorm by kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice. This year, Kaepernick and Reid settled collusion lawsuits against the league in which they alleged they were blackballed because of their protests.

Potential 2020 Chiefs draft prospects: Group 12

We take a look toward the 2020 NFL draft and some prospects for the Chiefs.

It’s Week 12 in college football and we have even more exciting prospects to watch.

I have identified over 200 prospects for the 2020 draft that I believe could be potential fits for the Kansas City Chiefs. I’ll be releasing mini scouting reports on these prospects in random groups of four up until the draft.

Check out the latest group of prospects down below:

Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Oregon OG Shane Lemieux

The Oregon Ducks sport one of the best offensive lines in college football this season. Shane Lemieux has been one of the standouts of the unit at the guard position, displaying toughness and athleticism currently unrivaled in the Pac 12.

Lemieux is on his way to his 48th consecutive start for the Ducks. He’s been extremely reliable in terms of availability and performance. At 6-feet-5 and 315 pounds, he has a frame that is already NFL-ready.

One of the better run blockers in the entirety of college football, Lemieux makes his money when he can get to linebackers at the second level. He can clear a rushing lane with the best of them in college football. He’s also shown some success as a pass blocker. Just last season, Lemieux allowed just 11 pressures in 500 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. So it’s not like Lemieux is a one-trick pony.

Currently, Lemieux is being criminally underrated in the pre-draft prospect rankings. Some team will likely be able to steal him in the middle rounds if his stock holds. The Kansas City Chiefs need to look into making some investments along the offensive line, especially now that they’ve found their franchise quarterback in Patrick Mahomes.

WATCH: Arizona at Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 p.m. CT

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A look at Draft Wire’s latest 3-round 2020 mock draft projections for Chiefs

A look at the new 3-round projections for the Kansas City Chiefs from Draft Wire.

There are just seven weeks left in the NFL’s regular season and with each passing day, we get closer to draft season. Draft Wire recently updated their 3-round mock draft projections for the 2020 NFL draft. They used the latest draft order to give us the most accurate look they can.

Below you’ll find a quick breakdown of each of their selections for the Chiefs:

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Round 1 Pick 23. Georgia RB D’Andre Swift

The first-round pick for the Chiefs remains unchanged in the latest updates projections for Draft Wire. Here’s a look at what Luke Easterling had to say about Swift ending up in Kansas City:

“There are bigger needs on defense, but in this scenario, the Chiefs have the opportunity to give Patrick Mahomes and an already explosive offense the top running back in a loaded class. Swift is a complete prospect who would be a big-play machine in this situation.”

I’ve been a rather vocal detractor of taking a running back in the first round of the 2020 draft, however, in recent weeks I am understanding why it’s often looked at as one of the big needs for this team. The Chiefs just don’t have the same confidence in their run game that they had in years prior. It’s impacting their ability to close out games and it seems like they could really use a go-to weapon at the position instead of their confusing committee approach.

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Friday injury report for Chiefs vs. Chargers, Week 11

A look at the second injury report of the week for the Chiefs and Chargers.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers continue to prepare for their Week 11 matchup in Mexico City. There weren’t any major changes from Thursday’s injury report for either team.

Check out the full injury report for the Chiefs down below:

Player Injury Participation*
QB Patrick Mahomes Knee FP
DT Derrick Nnadi Elbow FP
DT Chris Jones Groin FP
CB Kendall Fuller Thumb FP
LT Eric Fisher Groin FP
LT Cam Erving Ankle FP
RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Ankle FP
DE Frank Clark Neck FP
WR Sammy Watkins Groin FP
RT Mitchell Schwartz Knee LP
TE Blake Bell Ankle DNP
DE Emmanuel Ogbah Pectoral DNP
DE Alex Okafor Ankle DNP
RB Damien Williams NIR DNP

* DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Running back Damien Williams was excused from practice for personal reasons on Friday. Other than that the Chiefs’ injury report is status quo. That’s good news for LT Eric Fisher and RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

With a second limited practice for Mitchell Schwartz, monitor his practice participation on Saturday. It could be the difference between a questionable and doubtful designation for the right tackle.

Here’s the full injury report for the Chargers:

Player Injury Participation*
LB Denzel Perryman Knee FP
DT Justin Jones Shoulder FP
OG Dan Feeney Shoulder FP
S Roderic Teamer Groin FP
DT Cortez Broughton Illness DNP
WR Geremy Davis Hamstring DNP
OT Russel Okung Groin DNP
OT Sam Tevi Knee DNP
RB Justin Jackson Calf DNP
LC Cole Mazza Illness LP
LB Thomas Davis NIR DNP
OT Trey Pipkins Toe FP

* DNP = Did not participate | LP = Limited participation | FP = Full participation | NIR = Not injury related

Safety Roderic Teamer was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday for the Chargers. That’s good news for his availability on Monday.

Thomas Davis and Trey Pipkins were both added to the report on Friday. Davis had an absence not related to injury, but Pipkins is dealing with a toe injury. Pipkins was a full participant in practice, but it’s something to watch as the Chargers are already dangerously thin at the offensive tackle position.

Check back tomorrow for the final injury report of the week complete with game status designations.

Lawrence Tynes recalls helmet-swinging fight in 2000s Chiefs practice

Thursday Night Football wasn’t the only time that a former Kansas City Chiefs player saw a helmet used as a weapon.

A former player for the Kansas City Chiefs claims that the Browns-Steelers fracas on Thursday night wasn’t the first time he saw a helmet used as a weapon.

Kicker Lawrence Tynes recalled a fight in practice between defensive tackle Junior Siavii and offensive tackle John Tait, and well, he got the story half-right. There was a fight, and it did involve John Tait and a helmet used as a weapon, but it happened in 2002, not 2004. Tynes was just in his second season with the Chiefs in 2002. He spent those first two seasons as a member of Kansas City’s practice squad before playing in NFL Europe and the CFL.

The folks at the Kansas City Star looked into their archives and found the story of a fight at Chiefs training camp back when they went to River Falls, Wisconsin.

Instead of Siavii, as Tynes recalled, the fight occurred between defensive lineman Eddie Freeman and Tait. The results were actually quite a bit scarier than what occurred on the field between Myles Garrett and Mason Rudolph. Tait required 17 stitches in his forehead and had a broken nose. He wasn’t allowed to play or practice because of swelling and the fear of infection, according to the Star.

“Fights happen, and things happen in fights,” Tait said via the Kansas City Star. “But I don’t know about hitting people with a helmet. I definitely think disciplinary action should be taken. It’s not my place to say what or how much. I’d be disappointed if nothing is done.”

The team fined Freeman $2,500 for the incident, and everybody moved on.

The difference between this incident and the Garrett-Rudolph fight is glaring. One occurred during the course of a heated moment at training camp practice, the other in the final seconds of a nationally televised game. You can expect the NFL to get involved with fines and suspensions to be handed out swiftly in the case of the Browns-Steelers game.

The one common denominator is that an NFL helmet, weighing roughly six pounds, should never be used a weapon against another football player. Rudolph is lucky to not have suffered any significant injuries, as Tait did back in 2002.

Chiefs players react to Myles Garrett-Mason Rudolph fight

Chiefs players were shocked to see what happened on Thursday night between the Browns and Steelers.

It was an ugly ending to the Week 11 edition of Thursday Night Football between Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Browns DE Myles Garrett and DT Larry Ogunjobi along with Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey were ejected for their part in an all-out brawl in the final minutes of the game. The personal foul that drew ejections came from a helmet-pulling affair between Garrett and Steelers QB Mason Rudolph. It led to Garrett forcibly removing Rudolph’s helmet and turning it upon Rudolph as a blunt weapon — hitting him over the head with it.

The incident was widely criticized on the social media airwaves with fans, journalists and NFL players weighing-in. Several Chiefs players expressed their shock and opinions on Twitter, including Chiefs star QB Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes was just selected as the Chiefs’ nominee for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award. It’s safe to say this wasn’t an act that carried the utmost sportsmanship and respect for the game.

Emmanuel Ogbah, a former teammate of Garrett’s, was a bit more reserved in his reaction. This is something that no one in the NFL wants to see happen.

Reggie Ragland wondered how things would have gone different if it were Patrick Mahomes instead of Mason Rudolph. One fan responded saying that the stands would clear in support of Mahomes.

Darron Lee found himself wondering what provoked Garrett’s actions? Was it something that went unchecked earlier in the game? Perhaps we’ll never know the answer to that question.

What we do know is that this isn’t how things should play out on the football field. Players from every team need to come together in unison and rebuke the actions of Garrett and anything that led to this happening. It’s an emotional game, but part of what makes NFL athletes professionals is their ability to keep those emotions in check and respond within the confines of the game.