ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Chiefs took the practice field Wednesday morning under gray skies and appeared to have dodged a bullet from Mother Nature. But near the end of the first 11-on-11 work for the No. 1 defense, thunder drove the team indoors for the remainder of practice.
Reid said the team still managed to get the work done it need to indoors.
“It's a lighter day but a big mental day as far as big install last night they they to indulge there and then come out here in function,” Reid said.
During the public portion of practice, the offense showed some new wrinkles. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes used a double reverse fake and two pump fakes before firing to tight end Blake Bell. The offense also worked on the screen game, and Mahomes took two deep shots on crosses to rookie Mecole Hardman, but just missed connecting.
The No. 1 defense opened up with Bashaud Breeland starting at right cornerback opposite Charvarius Ward with Kendall Fuller in the slot. D'Montre Wade and Herb Miller opened as the No. 2 starting corners with Rashad Fenton in the slot. Newly acquired free agent cornerback Michael Hunter immediately saw snaps with the third team.
Practices that move indoors are considered closed practices that prohibit live reporting, but the Chiefs offense continued to showcase a few tricks as it took the next step in installing new looks and plays.
Frank Clark Shouldn't Go 55
Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark was already running late for practice when he arrived on the Western Missouri State University campus, then a meeting with campus police made him even later.
Clark was pulled over for speed by campus police, according to a team spokesperson. The player had family in town in St. Joseph, and was late returning to camp. Reid said “everything was all right.”
“I've had a chance to talk to him and not a big deal,” Reid said.
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland is wearing a brace on his right head protecting the lacerated thumb he suffered on Saturday, but he said he feels fine.
“I feel great, it's nothing but a little finger, a little scar, it ain't going to hurt,” Breeland said.
This camp marks a sharp turnaround from last season from last season for Breeland. The veteran corner signed a three-year, $24 million free agent deal with Carolina. But he later failed a physical after cutting his foot while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, an injury that led to an infection. The Panthers voided his contract, making him again a free agent.
He eventually signed with Green Bay and made his season debut in Week 9. With a full offseason under his belt, Breeland said he feels much more comfortable.
“This time I really get to get my legs up under me and really build the cohesiveness with teammates and not just having to jump in, learn a new defense, new players at the same time,” Breeland said.
Breeland unfortunately found himself in the middle of another injury on Tuesday when he and Tyreek Hill collided during a play. Breeland never saw Hill as he broke off his receiver to purse the ball in the air. Hill left practice with a quad contusion.
“It's just football, you some get nicks and bruises sometimes, but I'm just glad that he's able to be able come back from it,” Breeland said.
Kendall Fuller Embracing Nickel Role
While the Chiefs' cornerback plans remains a work in progress, coordinator Steve Spagnuolo centered early in camp on focusing Kendall Fuller in the nickel slot role, which is just fine with Fuller.
“You have to do a lot of different things, they ask you to do a lot of different things,” Fuller said. “Some people say you're just playing one position, but the way you're playing it it's almost as if you're playing corner, nickel, safety and all that, so it's been fun.”
Last season Fuller started at left corner, but moved inside to the slot when the Chiefs moved to three-cornerback package. Playing strictly in the slot means Fuller could play varying amounts week to week depending upon how much the defense plays substitution packages. But playing time doesn't appear a concern to him for now.
“Just going out there and just knowing the task at hand playing inside, just the different type of guys you've got to guard, the responsibility that you have in there,” Fuller said.
Hill did not practice on Wednesday after suffering a quad contusion the day before, but head coach Andy Reid said he could return as soon as Friday.
“There's a chance, yeah,” Reid. “There's a chance.”
Also not practice Wednesday were right tackle Mitchell Schwartz (back spasms), running back Damien Williams (hamstring), wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (back spasms), safety Jordan Lucas (hamstring) and linebacker Darius Harris (shoulder).
Reid confirmed that cornerback Keith Reaser did suffer a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg. The club has yet to make a transaction move with Reaser.
Rookie running back Marcus Marshall (groin) returned to practice Wednesday.
58 – Yards from which kicker Harrison Butker hit one of two tries during the special teams period at the indoor training facility after weather forced the team inside. Butker just missed wide left on the first try before putting his second effort down the middle with a yard or two to spare.
He's just him. Everything that he does is just him. He's in a category of his own. He's a type of player he's young and he's growing and he's learning everyday, but at the same time he's creating a new style of football that people have never seen before.
– Cornerback Bashaud Breeland on his early impression of quarterback Patrick Mahomes
What's Next?
The Chiefs take their first day off on Thursday before returning to work on Friday for an 8:15 a.m. practice.
Friday's practice also serves as Chiefs Alumni Day in St. Joseph and also includes the Gatorade Junior Camp and a team autograph session.
