[Sweeney] 5 observations from Day 17 of Chiefs camp: Cyrus Allen’s latest highlight catch

The Chiefs will have a lighter workout at Missouri Western State University on Thursday before a travel day to Tampa, Florida, on Friday. After the trip, the club will resume practices in Kansas City.

--> Battle watch: Yet another name emerges amid injuries to O-line

> The first-team offensive line shakeup continued Wednesday, with starting left tackle Josh Simmons and right guard Trey Smith out of practice.

> Just like on Tuesday, Jaylon Moore worked at left tackle, with Kahlil Benson at right tackle. But on Wednesday, former 2024 fifth-round pick Hunter Nourzad replaced Mike Caliendo at right guard.

> The injuries to Simmons and Smith aren’t considered serious, but at this stage, it seems unlikely they will suit up for Saturday’s preseason game.

> Once again, Drue Tranquill was limited and Jack Cochrane was out of practice, so linebackers Jeff Bassa and Cooper McDonald continued to receive added work with the top-team defense.

> “Second year, he’s right about where you would think he would be,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said of Bassa. “The one challenge he’s going to have is we’re gonna ask him to play a lot of different spots there, which is a good thing for him because that means we’ve got the confidence in him.”

> L’Jarius Sneed completed warmups and installs but is still limited. Cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Nohl Williams remained Spagnuolo’s starters outside, with Chris Roland-Wallace inside in the slot.

--> Team period notes

> Kansas City began practice with an 11-on-11 team blitz period, which saw George Karlaftis knock down Patrick Mahomes’ first pass at the line of scrimmage. Mahomes then completed passes to wide receiver Nikko Remigio and tight end Noah Gray.

> The Chiefs sent out the first team against the second team for 11-on-11 red-zone and heavy goal-line work.

> On the first play at the edge of the red zone, Mahomes fell as he handed the ball off to Emari Demercado. The quarterback looked a little shaken up, but he was able to walk it off.

> Mahomes’ unit converted four plays at the goal line for touchdowns — with Kenneth Walker following a lead block from Jared Wiley, a play-action pass to Travis Kelce, another Walker rush and a pass to Rashee Rice, who was open after some pre-snap ghost motion.

> On a dewy day in St. Joseph, Rice was somewhat up and down, with four receptions but what looked like three drops during team periods.

> Linebacker Cooper McDonald broke up a Justin Fields pass at the edge of the red zone. In four plays at the goal line, Fields’ second team scored three times, including a Demercado rush, a quarterback keeper and an Emmett Johnson rush.

> Rookie cornerback D’Arco Perkins-McAllister deflected a Garrett Nussmeier pass intended for Jake Briningstool, and he picked it off.

> Perkins-McAllister later broke up a Fields pass during 7-on-7. Cornerback Kader Kohou and safety Tanner McCalister had breakups in 7-on-7 going against Nussmeier.

> During 11-on-11 to close practice, it was more red-zone work. After bringing in a pass from Mahomes with one hand, Kelce appeared to cut his route short, leading to a diving interception by Jaden Hicks.

> “He was a little down (Tuesday), and then today he made a big play in the red zone,” Spagnuolo said of Hicks. “But he’s kind of been on that trajectory, and he should be. He’s been in the system for a while now, and those kind of guys I put a little bit more pressure on because I expect them to know more and not make mistakes that maybe a rookie would make.”

> The rest of the first-team reps included Mahomes targets to Rice, Cyrus Allen and Jalen Royals.

--> One-on-one notes

> In passing one-on-ones, wide receiver Jacob De Jesus went vertical to beat cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace on a long back-shoulder reception near the beginning of the period. Roland-Wallace rebounded nicely with good coverage the rest of his reps.

> I have been impressed with De Jesus and fellow receiver Omari Evans when they have been given opportunities. Williams has continued to show sticky coverage.

> The play of the day likely came on one-on-ones, with Allen making a one-handed catch to beat Delane despite close coverage.

> “I think Cyrus has come in and he’s taken the coaching,” receivers coach Chad O’Shea said. “He’s done a great job of working extremely hard and trying to concentrate on the things that we’ve asked him to do.”

> In OL-DL drills, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and Moore — working at left tackle — were the day’s standouts.

--> Run period rotation

> With Mahomes and the first team, Walker took the first two carries, followed by two for Demercado. Brashard Smith took the next pair, followed by another for Walker before Mahomes went to the other field.

> Johnson had the first two rushes with the second team, followed by one for Demercado, one for Jadyn Ott and another for Johnson.

> With the third team, EJ Smith had two carries, and Ott had one.

--> Target practice: Mahomes in 7-on-7, 11-on-11

> Mahomes in 7-on-7: wide receiver Rashee Rice (4), wide receiver Nikko Remigio (2), wide receiver Jalen Royals (2), wide receiver Cyrus Allen, tight end Noah Gray, tight end Travis Kelce, running back Brashard Smith, wide receiver Xavier Worthy

> Mahomes in 11-on-11: tight end Travis Kelce (3), wide receiver Rashee Rice (3), wide receiver Cyrus Allen, running back Emari Demercado, tight end Noah Gray, wide receiver Nikko Remigio, wide receiver Jalen Royals

--> Injury report

> Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will speak Thursday and should provide a final injury report to conclude training camp.

kansascity.com
u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 1 day ago

[Sweeney] Here without a helmet at Chiefs camp Wednesday: OL Josh Simmons, Trey Smith, and Matt Waletzko, LB Jack Cochrane, DT Omarr Norman-Lott (PUP), WR Jeff Weimer. I didn’t see DE Ashton Gillotte.

u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 1 day ago

[Wilson] Chiefs are re-signing Cam Jones, per a league source. He spent last season with Jets and offseason with Giants. He earned a Super Bowl ring with Chiefs, appearing in every game in his first two seasons in Kansas City.

u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 1 day ago

[Sweeney] 9 observations from Day 16 of Chiefs camp: Injuries shuffle KC’s offensive line

Kansas City is expected to have another padded practice Wednesday, followed by a lighter workout Thursday. Friday will be the team’s travel day to Tampa for preseason game No. 2 on Saturday in Florida.

--> Battle watch: The offensive line continues its shuffle

> On Monday, the Chiefs flipped Kahlil Benson back outside to right tackle, with Jaylon Moore moving inside to right guard. On Tuesday, with Josh Simmons joining Trey Smith out of practice, the first-team line shuffled again.

> Benson remained at right tackle, while Moore slid over to left tackle. Mike Caliendo came up to work as the first-team right guard. Esa Pole lined up as the second-team left tackle.

> Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that while Smith is unlikely to be back from his hip injury this week, he’s “getting close” to a return.

> With Drue Tranquill limited and Jack Cochrane out of practice, second-year linebackers Jeff Bassa and Cooper McDonald continue to see added snaps with the top-team defense.

> With L’Jarius Sneed still limited, cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Nohl Williams are Steve Spagnuolo’s starters outside, with Chris Roland-Wallace inside in the slot.

> Given the injury list, it’s been difficult to take away anything of substance from the lineup decisions.

--> Team-period notes

> The first 11-on-11 period began with the offense inside the opponent’s 10-yard line, allowing Kansas City to work on goal-to-go looks.

> Reid began with a Kenneth Walker run, and Walker appeared to be wrapped up at the goal line by safety Alohi Gilman. Patrick Mahomes threw touchdown passes to Rashee Rice and Walker, but he may have been sacked before his score to Rice in a live game setting.

> On his next turn, Mahomes tossed another score to Tyquan Thornton on a crosser. Mahomes’ goal-to-go session finished with two incompletions to tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, in part thanks to sound coverage.

> Justin Fields hit Jason Brownlee on a quick slant before being intercepted by undrafted safety Xavier Nwankpa on a pass intended for Jake Briningstool.

> On his next turn, Fields rolled right before slinging a pass across his body that was brought in by wide receiver Andrew Armstrong for a score. Running back Emari Demercado earned a goal-line carry with Fields during the period.

> After splitting it up Monday coming off the game, Reid brought back a 14-play 11-on-11 long-drive period for the first offense to conclude the workout.

> Mahomes began by rolling to his right and finding Kelce. Walker took the first rush, and Brashard Smith was next.

> Later, Mahomes moved right with the line before looking back left for a cross-field screen to Walker, who took it upfield and would have gone for a long gain in a live-game setting. After the long play, Smith came back on for a quick toss, followed by a Cyrus Allen end-around.

> Mahomes hit Allen on a crosser, and Xavier Worthy beat Delane to the left sideline while Delane was giving him some cushion. Demercado saw two touches with Mahomes throughout the period.

> Demercado stayed on with the second team for the first rush with Fields. Fields would have been sacked by defensive end Tyreke Smith, who broke through the line untouched on a stunt call.

> Emmett Johnson saw two rushes with the second team during the period.

> Earlier in practice, Mahomes began his 7-on-7 session with a quick pass to Kelce, who took it upfield. Allen beat Williams on a vertical concept inside the numbers for a long score.

> Cornerback Melvin Smith dove to break up a Fields pass, safety Tanner McCalister broke up a Garrett Nussmeier pass and undrafted linebacker Wesley Bissainthe broke one up from Chris Oladokun.

> Undrafted receiver Omari Evans dove to catch a pass from Nussmeier. Evans has quietly had a nice camp and should be considered a practice squad candidate.

--> Inside the skeleton period to begin practice

> For the first time I can remember in this summer’s camp, the Chiefs began with an inside skeleton period featuring a five-on-five structure, with tight ends and running backs working against linebackers and safeties.

> The offense works on the underneath passing tree while the defense simulates coverage rules and passing off cross-under routes.

--> Run-period rotation

> With Mahomes and the first team, Walker took the first two carries, followed by two for Johnson. Demercado took the next pair, followed by another for Walker, two for Brashard Smith and one more for Johnson before Mahomes went to the other field.

> Brashard Smith had the first carry with the second team, followed by one for Johnson and two for Demercado. Fields handed two off to Jadyn Ott before he left.

> With the third team, EJ Smith took a trio of carries and Ott had one.

--> One-on-one notes

> Williams looked strong in receiver-defensive back one-on-ones, showing good coverage against Allen and Rice, including a pass breakup on a throw intended for Allen. It’s still early with Rice coming off a knee cleanup, but he has yet to show consistent separation in this camp.

> Roland-Wallace pulled off the rare interception in one-on-ones, stepping in front of an Oladokun pass intended for Jalen Royals.

> In OL-DL, I have continued to be impressed with the push of the interior defensive line as a whole. Rookie defensive end R Mason Thomas seemingly had his way with Benson.

> I came away impressed with Moore’s ability to hold up during this particular look.

--> Gunners and returners

> During the special-teams punt period to end practice, Melvin Smith and Kevin Knowles were Dave Toub’s first choice as gunners. In order, Nikko Remigio, Brashard Smith and Jacob De Jesus all saw a chance to return.

--> Field-goal session

> The Chiefs have mentioned a shift in their field-goal periods, with random distances throughout the sessions rather than ascending ones.

> Kicker Harrison Butker went 9 of 10 in the period, including makes on two 50-plus-yarders. His only miss came from 57 yards from the right hash.

--> Target practice: Mahomes in 7-on-7, 11-on-11

> Mahomes in 7-on-7: tight end Travis Kelce (3), wide receiver Rashee Rice (3), wide receiver Cyrus Allen (2), running back Brashard Smith (2), running back Emari Demercado, tight end Noah Gray, running back Kenneth Walker, tight end Jared Wiley

> Mahomes in 11-on-11: running back Kenneth Walker (3), tight end Travis Kelce (2), wide receiver Rashee Rice (2), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (2),wide receiver Cyrus Allen, running back Emari Demercado, tight end Noah Gray, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton

--> Injury report

> The injury list is getting extensive.

> The Chiefs were without four offensive linemen on Tuesday, including Chu Godrick (ankle), Josh Simmons (back), Trey Smith (hip) and Matt Waletzko (knee).

> Cochrane (knee) and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, who is still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, did not practice.

> Wide receivers Jimmy Holiday (groin) and Jeff Weimer (hamstring) did not practice.

> During the workout, defensive end Ashton Gillotte (foot) and Thornton (hamstring) left early.

> Defensive back Chamarri Conner, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, cornerback Kader Kohou and linebacker Drue Tranquill dressed in pads but did not see work in 11-on-11.

> Worthy seems to be progressing because I did note his limited presence in some 11-on-11 looks.

kansascity.com
u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 2 days ago

[Schefter] In the corresponding move for signing RB Najee Harris, the Giants are planning to release veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, per sources.

u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 2 days ago

[Taylor] Eric Bieniemy on Mia, his wife: "She is on the road to recovery. She is doing great. She's truly a soldier & a saint & it's been incredible to watch." Eric said Mia gave her blessing for him to return to the Chiefs last week.

u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 2 days ago

[Sweeney] The Chiefs will be without several OL on Tuesday: Chu Godrick, Josh Simmons, Trey Smith, and Matt Waletzko. LB Jack Cochrane isn’t practicing. Neither is DL Omarr Norman-Lott (PUP). CBs Chamarri Conner and L’Jarius Sneed and LB Drue Tranquill are suited up in pads to work.

u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 3 days ago

[Sweeney] Observations from Day 15 of Chiefs camp: Curveball at the right tackle position

Kansas City is expected to have two more padded practices, followed by a lighter workout Thursday and a travel day to Tampa, Florida, on Friday.

--> Battle watch: A curveball along the offensive line

> With Trey Smith out of Saturday’s game, the offensive line reflected what we had seen in the practices leading up to it — Kahlil Benson at right guard and Jaylon Moore at right tackle.

> For Monday’s return practice, Benson and Moore flipped. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained the thought process after the workout.

> “Moore has been doing a great job in there for us, but with that, then Benson doesn’t get any reps at (right tackle),” Reid said. “We want (Benson) to go against the better players and have a chance to continue to grow there. So we just flopped him over and let Moore get some reps at guard and then Benson get some reps at the tackle spot.

> “But Benson held his own at the guard spot in the game. They need to be able to play both as we go through this thing, and it’s a good experience for them. But it’s not one over the other. Like I said, Moore put together a lot of good days here and played good Saturday.”

> While Reid revealed that Smith, who has a hip injury, is “getting close,” it does not sound like he will return to practice before the team gets back from Tampa. Based on Reid’s comments, it’s fair to expect Benson to work outside while Moore works inside the rest of the week and then against the Buccaneers on Saturday.

> Esa Pole manned the left tackle position with the second team before leaving the workout because of dehydration.

> Cornerback Mansoor Delane participated in his first 11-on-11 work of training camp on Monday, lining up outside opposite Nohl Williams. Chris Roland-Wallace remains Steve Spagnuolo’s top choice for the slot.

> With Chamarri Conner nursing a knee injury, Jaden Hicks and Alohi Gilman were stationed as the top safeties.

> With Drue Tranquill (back) still working off to the side, rookie Jeff Bassa appeared to see the most time next to veteran Nick Bolton during Monday’s look. Jack Cochrane hurt his knee but was able to finish practice.

> Before Ashton Gillotte’s hamstring setback, Spagnuolo had teased using him as a third linebacker — and he did so again with Gillotte’s return to full participation Monday. Spagnuolo appears comfortable in Gillotte’s second season using him along the line outside, inside and potentially for some snaps left vacant by Leo Chenal’s departure.

--> Two-minute drill

> Early in practice, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Fields and Garrett Nussmeier all had a shot at a two-minute drill where it seemed the objective was to get the ball into the end zone rather than kick a field goal. Each started his drive with one minute and 30 seconds on the clock.

> Mahomes began with three straight completions — the first to Travis Kelce and the next two to Kenneth Walker — before Nohl Williams broke up a pass intended for Cyrus Allen. Facing third-and-10 two plays later, Mahomes found Tyquan Thornton to pick up a fresh set of downs.

> In the red zone, Mahomes connected with Allen before having to throw it away in the face of pressure. On the next play, Hicks blitzed and jumped in an attempt to bat down Mahomes’ pass to Noah Gray, and the pressure affected the ball’s trajectory enough that Alohi Gilman was able to step in front and pick it off.

> Gilman had to feel good about the play, especially after a clip of him losing to Kelce in one-on-one drills during an earlier period took off online.

> Fields went 1 of 6 during his two-minute try, turning the ball over on downs.

> Following up Saturday’s outing, Garrett Nussmeier saw undrafted rookie wide receiver Jacob De Jesus break free downfield and dropped the ball in for a score.

--> Other team period notes

> Practice began with an 11-on-11 team blitz period, with Mahomes connecting with Kelce and Thornton before George Karlaftis nearly picked him off on a pass to Walker in the left flat.

> Cooper McDonald and Felix Anudike-Uzomah likely would have sacked or hit Fields in a live game setting.

> Coming off a game, the final 11-on-11 period went away from 14 straight plays for Mahomes and instead broke it into two seven-play series. Reid gave Fields 10 total plays, Nussmeier four and Chris Oladokun two.

> Mahomes began the period with two completed passes to Rashee Rice, followed by an end-around set up for Allen. Reid called two quick throws to Walker before rookie running back Emmett Johnson came on for a toss.

> The period included two incomplete passes to Thornton, who looked a little more out of sorts than usual throughout this particular day. Chris Jones would have had a sack on Mahomes in a live game setting.

> With second-team tackles Esa Pole and Matt Waletzko off the field by this period, the top-team tackle options mixed and matched with Fields’ line.

> Rookie defensive end R Mason Thomas and veteran defensive end Tyreke Smith likely would have sacked Fields in a live game setting. On Smith’s would-be sack, he whizzed by Benson.

> Earlier in practice, during 7-on-7, Mahomes completed passes to Rice, Kelce and Gray. Jalen Royals went deep on a vertical concept, but Williams maintained good coverage to prevent a completion.

> Participating in 7-on-7 early as the Chiefs ease him back in from his shoulder injury, Xavier Worthy showed off his speed and separation on a crosser, with the quarterback hitting him in stride.

> Mahomes fired a bullet to Kelce that he caught away from his body with Xavier Nwankpa in pursuit.

> Breaking to the right sideline, Allen made a one-handed grab from Fields. Two of the best throws of the period were Fields to undrafted rookie receiver Omari Evans and Chris Oladokun to Jason Brownlee — each a perfectly lofted ball deep down the right sideline.

--> Run period rotation

> With Mahomes and the first team, Walker took the first two carries, followed by two from Johnson. Following his solid preseason debut, Johnson worked as the second running back behind Walker throughout practice.

> Reid broke down his preseason notes on Johnson after practice.

> “He did a nice job. He ran hard,” Reid said. “Some of his footwork, he’s getting him going in the right direction early. I’m not saying he went the wrong way. We try to tie the footwork up at the back with the O-line. And you’ve got to be able to set those guys up, and there’s got to be a certain amount of patience, and your angle becomes important on that that you take to the line of scrimmage.

> “So he can work on that. But as far as the effort, the ability to make people miss, you’ve got a pretty good idea of his vision. All those things were positives.”

> Brashard Smith came on for two carries after Johnson, followed by two more from Walker before Mahomes went to the other field.

> With the second team, Emari Demercado had the first touch, followed by one for Johnson and one for Brashard Smith before a final touch for Demercado.

> EJ Smith and Jadyn Ott each had a carry with the third team.

--> Kick and punt returners

> During the kickoff period, special teams coordinator Dave Toub sent out returner pairs in this order: 1) Nikko Remigio and Brashard Smith, 2) EJ Smith and Thornton, 3) Demercado and Johnson, 4) De Jesus and Ott and 5) Brownlee and Evans.

> This was the punt returner order: 1) Remigio, 2) Brashard Smith, 3) Allen and 4) De Jesus.

--> Target practice: Mahomes in 7-on-7, 11-on-11

> Mahomes in 7-on-7: tight end Travis Kelce (3), wide receiver Rashee Rice (3), wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (2), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (2), wide receiver Cyrus Allen, wide receiver Andrew Armstrong, tight end Noah Gray, wide receiver Jalen Royals

> Mahomes in 11-on-11: wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (5), running back Kenneth Walker (5), tight end Travis Kelce (4), wide receiver Cyrus Allen (2), running back Emmett Johnson (2), wide receiver Rashee Rice (2), tight end Noah Gray, wide receiver Jalen Royals

--> Injury report

> As mentioned, Delane and Gillotte returned to full work, while Worthy was only on the field for 7-on-7. Now able to use both arms, Delane looked more polished than he had in early-summer camp practices.

> Beyond them, the Kansas City injury list remains lengthy.

kansascity.com
u/TheBoyisBackinTown — 3 days ago