Jan. 9, 2016; Houston; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) during the second half against the Texans at NRG Stadium. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs wrapped up the first week of organized team activities (OTAs) without a key player on offense.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin did not finish Thursday’s workout because of an ankle injury, but coach Andy Reid didn’t appear concerned.
“He just tweaked his ankle a little bit,” Reid told reporters. “He’s OK. No problem.”
While a minor ankle injury during the early stages of OTAs shouldn’t cause alarm and Reid didn’t mention which ankle is injured, it is noteworthy that Maclin dealt with a right high-ankle sprain during the postseason.
He originally hurt it against the Houston Texans on Jan. 9, and then was limited to just 34 offensive snaps (38 percent) the following week in a loss against the New England Patriots.
High-ankle sprains are notorious for lingering and despite the offseason months, Maclin admitted Wednesday the healing process wasn’t short.
“It took longer than I wanted it to,” he said. “Hell, if I had a choice, it would have been ready by New England.
“It’s one of those things where you just have to keep at it unfortunately. But fortunately at the same time, you know you have the offseason to kind of get it ready and get it right. I’m good now and I think that’s the most important thing.”
The Chiefs are off the next four days and return to the practice field on Tuesday.
And it wouldn’t surprise to see the team take it easy on the No. 1 receiver, especially if the injury is to his right ankle.
INJURY UPDATES
Running back Jamaal Charles (knee), outside linebacker Justin Houston (knee), outside linebacker Tamba Hali (knee) and receiver Mike Williams (hamstring) missed a third straight workout.
Two additional players were not present: Safety Eric Berry and rookie cornerback Vernon Harris.
Berry has yet to sign his franchise tag, while Harris, an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth, falls under the NCAA quarters system. Harris is scheduled to graduate from college on June 12.
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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