Tag: Justin Reid

Chiefs K Harrison Butker ‘all for’ Justin Reid serving as emergency kicker

#Chiefs K Harrison Butker shared his thoughts on safety Justin Reid’s candidacy to become the team’s emergency kicker. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs signed veteran safety Justin Reid to be the heart of a young secondary following the team’s decision to move on from Tyrann Mathieu.

They seem to have received a bit more than they bargained for in Reid. He is showing his worth at camp, serving as a leader on the defensive side of the ball and a mentor to the rookie defensive backs. He’s also taken on a new role in the recent weeks of training camp practice.

After making a 65-yard field goal in practice, Reid’s leg is now being considered for the emergency kicker role. The development comes much to the amusement of Harrison Butker, who spoke to reporters about his new backup on Wednesday.

“It’s crazy because he’s actually not very efficient, but the ball goes so far,” Butker said. “You know what I’m saying? It was probably Phase Two (and) he got a kick in the indoor, he told me, ‘I love the specialists. I kicked a lot with Ka’imi (Fairbairn) with the Texans.’ And I think I had seen some videos of him kicking, but in the indoor, he was just bombing balls with a ton of height, so I knew he had a big leg. I just thought he just wanted to kick some footballs and he just naturally has the technique. I come to find out he played travel soccer all throughout high school, so he got that rhythm and technique from a young age. But he’s got a big leg, and I think it’s just fine-tuning it.

Reid has been attempting field goals in practice throughout camp, making 7-of-9 kicks when Butker missed practice earlier this week. Reid also scored a PAT before the end of the first half in the preseason Week 1 game against the Chicago Bears. Butker believes Reid can get even better at making kicks with some help.

“If I was him, I would take advantage of Tommy (Townsend) and me and learn as much as he can from us because he made an extra point when the pressure was on in (the) preseason,” Butker continued. “I’m all for it. I’m all for evolving the game of kicking and pushing the limits, so to have more people that are enthusiastic about being kickers, I’m all for it.”

The flexibility of Reid as the emergency kicker may seem humorous at this moment, but it could eventually pay off later in the season. The Chiefs will be one of the rare teams prepared for an unexpected absence of their starter without having to roster an extra player at the position.

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WATCH: Chiefs S Justin Reid makes extra point vs. Bears

The #Chiefs got their emergency kicker some work in the preseason opener against the #Bears.

The preseason is for practice and the Kansas City Chiefs got their emergency kicker some practice during the game.

Safety Justin Reid, who recently made headlines with his 65-yard field goal at training camp, got some work as the team’s emergency kicker ahead of the end of the first half. After a 22-yard touchdown reception from Justin Watson, it wasn’t Harrison Butker who lined up to take the PAT. Instead, it was Reid who came in and got his chance to make the extra point. Sure enough, it was perfectly executed, right down the middle of the uprights.

Reid even got some practice in ahead of the game, which should have been a sign that he’d get his chance.

Reid claimed after training camp practice on Thursday that his comfort level in an actual game would be 45 yards. He also said he’d be ready if he ever got a chance to kick a field goal in a game. Starting small with an extra point is a good call by Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub.

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Chiefs DB Justin Reid nails PAT against Bears

Chiefs DB stepped into a PAT attempt and it was good

Andy Reid allowed a player with his surname to have some fun against the Chicago Bears as the Kansas City Chiefs opened the preseason on Saturday.

Justin Watson scored a touchdown for KC in the second quarter and Harrison Butker was bumped from the PAT duties by Chiefs DB Justin Reid.

And Justin Reid delivered to make it 14-0.

Andy Reid didn’t send Justin Reid out cold. He had the DB practice on the tough Soldier Field turf prior to the game.

Chiefswire provided background on Reid’s kicking prowess:

A former Soccer player in high school and at Stanford, Reid has already been working on his emergency duties with his new team this offseason. Most safeties have emergency jobs like cornerback or linebacker, but Reid has been doing the emergency kicking duties since his time with the Houston Texans.

During practice this week, Reid connected on a field goal from 60 yards, granted there was no snap leading into the boot.

“We’ve got an excellent guy who is going to leave his mark — and his legacy — on this franchise. I know there’s a lot of chatter — or whatever — about ‘Kicker 1,’ but Harrison is obviously Kicker 1. Let’s put that to bed right now,” Justin Reid said. “But if he ever wants (a) play off — (to) take a break — I’ve got his back.”

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Justin Reid eager for Chiefs’ defense to set solid foundation in preseason Week 1

Justin Reid knows exactly what he’d like to see from the #Chiefs’ rebuilt defense in preseason Week 1. | from @TheJohnDillon

Preseason games might not count at the end of the year, but the Kansas City Chiefs defense is set to use every preparatory snap as an opportunity to improve.

After a 2021 season where the unit proved to be a liability down the stretch, the team loaded up their side of the ball in hopes that a defensive renaissance might deliver them another Lombardi trophy. Safety Justin Reid was Kansas City’s biggest free agent signing in the spring and looks to play a key role in their 2022 campaign.

Reid spoke to reporters on Friday about the defense’s mentality, noting the drive they have to prove their doubters wrong.

“Guys are hungry,” Reid said. “One of the best things about this defense is the intelligence, that the IQ level across the board is very high. Guys are bought in and that’s given us the opportunity to be very multiple and obviously, in the preseason, they’re not going to be exposing our whole deck of cards. The guys are excited to play, and I’m excited to be able to line up against somebody wearing a different color jersey than I am for once.”

On the advantage of playing in an exhibition matchup, he went on to say that the simplicity of both teams’ approach to the game should provide a solid testbed for their roster construction.

“It’s barebones football,” Reid explained. “We know what you’re going to do, you know what we’re going to do. Let’s line up and do it and test the wills. Let’s see what your true skillset is before we can gameplan and make it hard. That’s what it’s about. It’s about giving guys opportunities to show what they’ve got and some guys earning roster spots.”

More than anyone else, the opportunities Reid mentioned will be most important for the Chiefs’ rookies. As players trying to get their foot in the door to long NFL careers, the seasoned safety made it clear that they’ll all need to play all out and show the coaching staff everything they’ve got in their first real action.

“Go, go, don’t be afraid to go,” Reid said of his message to the rookies. “Go, go. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. The game plan will be simple. Their game plan will be simple, ours will be simple. You’re going to know what to do, show what you’ve got, go out and make a play.”

These games might not count toward playoff positioning, but they could prove to be some of the most important snaps of the season as Kansas City looks to make another run at a championship. Time will tell if the Chiefs have the ability to win it all this year, but to hear Reid tell it, the journey begins on Saturday in Chicago.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, S Justin Reid recall their first preseason game

#Chiefs veterans Patrick Mahomes and Justin Reid shared memories of their first NFL preseason game experience. | from @EdEastonJr

Every player in the NFL remembers their first professional game, whether it occurred in the preseason or regular season.

The Kansas City Chiefs have several rookies hitting the field on Saturday for the first time, getting a chance to showcase their abilities and make their case for the 53-man roster. The 2022 NFL draft saw the Chiefs select a majority of players on the defensive side of the ball. Players like Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Leo Chenal, Bryan Cook and Joshua Williams will have their first dress rehearsal against the Chicago Bears. In the process, they’ll make some memories that will last a lifetime.

Veterans Patrick Mahomes and Justin Reid recalled their first time suiting up for an NFL preseason game experience after Thursday’s training camp practice.

“Yeah, it was a lot of nerves,” said Mahomes. “You’re getting in there; your mind is kind of racing. Obviously, the speed of the game has intensified but also the playbook, so you’re trying to think and play at the same time. So, what I do for them is I tell them to study as much as they can, then when they get to the game, just go out there and play. At the end of the day, just go out there and play like you’ve done it your whole life. You’re in this position for a reason, and you can let your talent show.”

Mahomes played his first preseason game in 2017 against the San Francisco 49ers finishing 7-of-9 passing for 49 yards and a touchdown. Newly-signed safety Justin Reid was on the other side of the Chiefs in his first preseason game in 2018 as a member of the Houston Texans.

“First preseason game was here in Kansas City, and my first snap was against Travis Kelce,” said Reid “I won’t ever forget that he had ran a curl route, and that was the way they opened up the game, but it’s exciting.

“It’s the first time you put on the jersey. For the rookies that (are) coming in this year, their first time strapped up and actually put on the game uniform, it’s going to be an unbelievable feeling for them, and I’m excited for them and excited to go out there myself and excited to watch those guys go play.”

The experience will be exciting and memorable for the rookies involved on Saturday. There will be nerves, but there will also be moments like Mahomes’ first touchdown or Reid’s snap against Kelce. The key is to not make the moment too big and to simply get out there and play the game that they love.

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Chiefs safety Justin Reid drills 65-yard field goal

Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid drilled a 65-yard field goal at training camp.

The role of emergency kicker is often, if not always, overlooked on an NFL roster. But should the situation arise, the Kansas City Chiefs might have quite the capable option on their roster.

Safety Justin Reid.

At Chiefs’ training camp, Reid lined up for a 65-yard field goal attempt, and drilled it:

This is not Reid’s first foray into kicking. During his time with the Houston Texans, Reid served as the emergency kicker and handled kickoffs during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In that outing, he booted kicks of 65, 61 and 68 yards.

A former soccer player and kicker in high school, Reid was also the emergency kicker while at Stanford. While he never handled kicking duties in college, it seems he still has a few good kicks left in that right leg of his.

WATCH: Chiefs S Justin Reid nails 65-yard field goal in practice

Apparently, the #Chiefs have an emergency kicker who can make 65-yard field goals with ease.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ emergency kicker, safety Justin Reid, got some work in during training camp on Sunday, Aug. 7.

A former Soccer player in high school and at Stanford, Reid has already been working on his emergency duties with his new team this offseason. Most safeties have emergency jobs like cornerback or linebacker, but Reid has been doing the emergency kicking duties since his time with the Houston Texans.

Since arriving in Kansas City, he’s still working on his kicking game. He landed a nice kick in front of Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud earlier in the offseason, but on Sunday he showed out for the big crowd at “Family Fun Day” at training camp.

He started by working on some shorter kicks at the onset of practice.

Reid later shared a clip of his distance work, which included a make from over 60 yards out.

Frankly, the kick probably would have made it from an even further distance. Reid certainly had enough leg on it. Should the Chiefs need an emergency kicker in the place of Harrison Butker, it sure seems like they’re in a good spot with Reid’s talents.

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Juan Thornhill thinks Chiefs’ young secondary has uncapped potential

#Chiefs S Juan Thornhill feels there are no ceilings for the team’s young secondary: “The sky isn’t the limit — we can go past that.” | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are two weeks into training camp, and players are already beginning to separate themselves from the pack.

The secondary has been rebuilt over the offseason with rookies from the draft and new veterans added via free agency. Chiefs safety Juan Thornhill remains a mainstay of a defensive unit that has gone through many changes.  Thornhill appears to be past his nagging injuries that have hampered his production over the past few years. Now, he’s taken a mentorship role in a secondary full of young and talented players.

“I mean, I was once a rookie at one point,” Thornhill told reporters. “I know that it takes time to, like, pick up on that playbook. Because (Steve Spagnuolo’s) defense, like it’s not a joke. So I think the guys are doing a heck of a job. I mean, it shows that they’re studying. They’re making a lot of plays on the ball. They’re not making a lot of mistakes on the field. And then that’s the main thing is, just that they’re playing with confidence. So I like that group a whole lot. And I’m just excited for them.”

Thornhill is just 26 years old and is entering his fourth season with the Chiefs. He says he didn’t change anything about his preparation when it comes to being a leader, he just naturally has taken up the mantle, leading by example as a veteran player in the room.

“I don’t really feel like I did anything different,” said Thornhill. “Just being more vocal to the guys. Guys come to me, ask questions, and they look to me to give them the right answer if they don’t have the right answer. So that’s the only thing that I have been doing—just trying to be a leader and lead by example. If they have any questions, just ask me. I’m not doing anything different.”

While Thornhill has already promised an All-Pro-worthy effort from himself this season, he feels that his teammates in the safety room can be very good too. Asked about the potential of the group, Thornhill was unwilling to put a cap on the possibilities.

“The sky isn’t the limit — we can go past that,” Thornhill said. “I feel like we have a really good safety group. Guys can make plays on the ball and we’ve been showing it each and every week. Guys can tackle, they’re physical. And like I said before, we’re going to be one of the most feared defensive back units in the NFL.”

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Chiefs injury, absence updates from Day 3 of training camp

The #Chiefs had an excused absence for their newest player on Friday, but no new injuries to report on the third day of camp.

The Kansas City Chiefs held their third full training camp practice of the year on Friday at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Franchise-tagged LT Orlando Brown Jr. still hasn’t reported to training camp, and at this point, it seems like we shouldn’t expect him until later in August. As far as the active/PUP list is concerned, CB Rashad Fenton, RT Lucas Niang and OL Prince Tega Wanogho all remain on the list and absent from team practice. A few of them have been spotted with training staff in the training tent at times during practice. Steve Spagnuolo confirmed on Thursday that he has pulled Fenton onto the practice field behind the defense so that he can get “mental reps.”

As for new Chiefs DE Carlos Dunlap, he’s been excused from practice by the team. CBS Sports reporter Josina Anderson mentioned that Dunlap had an accelerated timeline on his visit to Kansas City in order to lay his father to his final resting place. Here is what Andy Reid said about his absence.

“Carlos won’t be here until next Wednesday,” Reid said.”He’s got some things that he’s got to take care of before he gets up here. He’ll work into the mix at the defensive end position. It’s a nice addition. He’s been doing this for a while and he can obviously still roll. We look forward to getting him into the mix there and getting him going.”

There were no new injuries to report during the course of practice, which is always a good thing. Justin Reid, who briefly left practice on Thursday, was back in with the first team at the onset of practice on Friday.

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Chiefs injury, absence updates from Day 2 of training camp

The #Chiefs held their first open training camp practice on Thursday, and they had the majority of their players present for practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs hit their second full training camp practice of the year on Thursday, gracing the wet practice fields at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. There was a little rain in the area, but the team was able to practice outdoors for the entire practice.

A team public relations representative updated the media, explaining that CB Rashad Fenton, RT Lucas Niang and OL Prince Tega Wanogho all remain on the active/PUP list. They did not practice on Thursday as a result.

Franchise-tagged LT Orlando Brown Jr. still hasn’t reported to training camp amidst his holdout. It’s unclear when he might report to camp, but there seems to be some expectation that he could arrive before training camp ends.

As for injuries during the course of practice, Justin Reid briefly left the field with trainers according to multiple reporters in attendance. He was spotted back on the sideline during the course of practice, but he didn’t actually participate for the rest of the day. A team public relations representative confirmed after practice that Reid is “Fine.”

Reid’s absence allowed for second-round rookie S Bryan Cook to get some work with the first-team defense for the first time during the course of training camp.

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