Tag: pads

Andy Reid: Three Chiefs injured at Friday practice

Three members of the #Chiefs’ 2022 53-man roster went down with injury during Kansas City’s first practice in pads.

The Kansas City Chiefs conducted their first practice in pads on Friday, and a few key players got banged up as the team ran contract drills at Missouri Western State University.

Head coach Andy Reid updated reporters with all the new developments relative to players who may miss time with injury in his comments after the Chiefs’ workouts.

“[Drue] Tranquill strained his neck, [Jody] Fortson hurt his shoulder, we’re going to check it out here, then [Mike] Danna strained his calf,” Reid said. “But, all in all, it was good work today, guys challenged themselves. A little shorter practice, an hour 40-minute practice. The guys worked it, was good to get them back in pads and working to challenge each other.”

The loss of Tranquill, Fortson, and Danna will certainly affect how both sides of the ball function during Kansas City’s coming workouts if they miss time, but with 89 players on their roster, the Chiefs will give looks to up-and-coming prospects in their absence.

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Chiefs guard Trey Smith excited to don pads for first time since Super Bowl LVII

#Chiefs guard Trey Smith spoke about putting on pads for the first time since Super Bowl LVII after practice on Friday.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ intensity at training camp took another step up on Friday as the team conducted their first practice in pads. The addition of the protective equipment under their uniforms will allow for physicality during workouts as the Chiefs continue to get in shape before their first preseason game in August.

Friday’s practice was circled on the calendars of many players, but Kansas City’s linemen in particular, for that reason. The most anticipatory of any Chiefs lineman was guard Trey Smith, according to his teammate Creed Humphrey who spoke on the matter during his comments to reporters earlier in the week.

Smith is well-known for being a physical presence on the team’s offensive line and spoke with the media on Friday about his mindset now that he is finally able to get rough with Kansas City’s front four in practice.

Said Smith: “You know, the first time you put on the pads, obviously, you’re still a little bit rusty. Someone made a comment earlier; the last time we really put in pads was during the Super Bowl. I was like, dang, it’s been a while.

“So, you know, you have some things that you got to clean up, some things you can be a little bit tighter, technique-wise, but it’s always good to put the pads back on. It’s always good knowing the [regular season is] around the corner.”

Smith and his teammates had a life-changing experience during their last time in pads when they earned Kansas City its third Super Bowl title back in February.

Hopefully, the work that they started on Friday will help them achieve their ultimate goal of winning yet another ring and ending the 2023 season covered in championship confetti once more.

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Monday will be Packers’ first padded practice of 2023 training camp

The Packers will put on the pads for the first time in training camp on Monday, July 31.

Training camp doesn’t officially begin until the pads come on for the first time, so circle Monday, July 31 as the start of camp for the Green Bay Packers.

Coach Matt LaFleur said the Packers will be in full pads for the first time on Monday.

The Packers practiced in helmets and shells during open practices on Wednesday and Thursday and will be holding a closed walkthrough/install practice on Friday. There will be another open practice on Saturday.

Teams are not allowed to be in full pads through the first four days of training camp. And there’s a mandatory day off before the start of padded practices during the “ramp up” process of camp.

Next week is a big one in Green Bay. Not only will the Packers hold their first padded practice on Monday, but “Family Night” at Lambeau Field is on Saturday night. Overall, LaFleur’s team will have four open practices next week.

Note: the Packers annnounced the starting times for practices on Monday, July 31, Tuesday, Aug. 1 and Thursday, Aug. 3. All three will begin at 10:30 a.m. and are scheduled to be held at Ray Nitschke Field, weather permitting.

Watch: Jameis Winston nearly loses his head attempting tackle drill

Jameis Winston isn’t lacking for enthusiasm. He almost lost his helmet in a tackle drill, but laughed along with everyone else on Twitter:

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Oh, Jameis. The New Orleans Saints quarterback isn’t lacking for enthusiasm. But this time it almost cost him his head — or at least his unintentionally-goofy body language makes it seem that way.

Jameis Winston was doing his part as a good teammate, clapping and encouraging the Saints running backs while they ran through a tackling machine at training camp. The pads simulate outstretched arms, helping players get used to running through contact and protecting the ball, and Winston gave it a shot on his own after his teammates finished the drill.

Except it didn’t go as planned. As Winston later laughed on Twitter, “That second pad on the left got me with that hit stick!” as he stumbled through the drill, struggling to regain his footing on the other side. It’s good to see he’s taking it all in stride while competing with Taysom Hill for the starting job (and I’m guessing Hill’s added muscle mass might help him should he attempt this drill himself).

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