ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Fours Chiefs returned to action Sunday after brief absences with injuries, but that list did not include linebacker Nick Bolton or receiver Kadarius Toney.
Bolton (elbow) and Toney (ankle) both last practiced July 31, marking three practices they have missed so far. Both players worked on the sidelines and in the training tent during Sunday’s practice. Receiver Justin Watson (foot) also remained out Sunday for the eighth-straight practice. Cornerback Kelvin Joseph (hamstring) and receiver Jaaron Hayek also were held out for the day.
Saturday’s day off, however, provided the elixir a few players needed to return to action. Offensive lineman Wanya Morris (shoulder) returned to the field after exiting practice early Friday and held down left tackle with the No. 2 offense. Cornerback Nazeeh Johnson (knee) returned in a limited role primarily with the scout team while Jaylen Watson shed his gold non-contact jersey and took a few first-team reps. Safety Deon Bush (ankle) also returned after an absence.
Defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (tricep) remain on the physically unable to perform list. Safety Justin Reid (quad) and defensive end BJ Thompson remain on the non-football injury list.
Notes & Observations
After a Saturday away from camp, Chiefs players returned Sunday for a refresher course, a 10-10-10 practice (10 plays for the first-team offense, 10 plays for the first-team defense and 10 minutes of special teams. A capacity crowd gathered at Missouri State Western University for Sunday’s workout under sunny skies with temperatures reaching only the high 70s be the end of the 75-minute session.
Typically, these non-contact practices take place at the end of a string of practices. Teams are only allowed three consecutive days of padded practices followed by a three-day break without pads. The 10-10-10 practices are also an opportunity for the team to review what they have learned during the past week of practices and apply it in action against a scout team defense.
Head coach Andy Reid calls this “servicing.” The scout team serves the starting offense and defense by providing them with looks they would see against an actual opponent. On Sunday the theoretical opponent was the Baltimore Ravens, complete with backup Chris Oladokun donning a No. 8 practice jersey designating him as Lamar Jackson.
It’s hard to identify highlights on 10-10-10 days because it’s designed for the first team to rehearse its script against an opponent. The scout team is shown a play in the huddle that they will run against the first team. Neither team plays full speed, and there is no contact.
It is instructive, however, for identifying lineups and substitutions. On the offensive side of the ball, the team’s depth chart has largely remained stable along the offensive line, tight end and running back groups. The competition at wide receiver, particularly for the fifth, sixth and (potential) seventh spots, remains wide open with as many as 11 receivers getting first-team looks.
On the defensive side, however, rotations remain much more fluid, particularly at the cornerback position. Trent McDuffie is the team’s best corner beyond a shadow of a doubt, and he typically plays at left cornerback opposite a rotation on the right side that has featured Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson and Kelvin Joseph. Jaylen Watson hasn’t joined that group quite yet as he works back from offseason shoulder surgery.
But Watson should see his opportunity coming soon. Sunday was his first day without any major restrictions, and he found himself involved in the team’s dime package joining McDuffie and Williams.
What’s Next?
The Chiefs are scheduled for three straight days in pads starting with Monday morning’s 9:15 workout. Practices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday should run around two hours each.
The team has an off day Thursday before traveling to Jacksonville on Friday for the preseason opener against the Jaguars. Saturday’s contest kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Chiefs Television Network, including 38 the Spot KCMI in Kanas City.
