ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu sat out Thursday’s practice with a calf spasm in his right leg, adding his name to a growing list of Chiefs players on the sideline.
Omenihu and backup defensive end Mike Danna (left calf strain) were both one the sidelines Thursday. With Tershawn Wharton remaining in his acclimation and Chris Jones still absent from camp, the Chiefs were without four of the top six of their defensive linemen during Thursday morning’s workout.
Another defensive starter, L’Jarius Sneed, was held out of his second-straight practice due to knee inflammation. Linebacker Drue Tranquill was also held out but the team did not specify a reason. He worked out on the sideline with a compression sleeve on his right leg.
Tight end Jody Fortson (shoulder), cornerback Taylor Reese (hamstring), and wide receivers Kadarius Toney (knee) and Ty Scott (undisclosed) also did not practice Thursday.
Wharton, who passed his physical Wednesday and was removed from the physically unable to perform list, has been off the field for almost 10 since months tearing the ACL in his right knee on Oct. 10 in a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He said support from his teammate encouraged him throughout his rehabilitation.
“And then I like to attack everything like a pro,” Wharton said. “So attacking it and just see my strides when, you know as the months come along, being able to do things that I wasn’t able to do. It always made me continue to keep my head up and smile through the process.”
Wharton received a warm welcome from his teammates at practice Wednesday.
“I think it took a moment to just take it all in,” he said. “Because I’ve been watching for so long. I never had a serious injury. Just seeing those guys, their reaction to it, showed that it’s a family here and that I got love on the team.”
Punter Tommy Townsend, who suffered an ankle sprain on Monday, was at practice and served as kick holder for Harrison Butker. Townsend received snaps during the punt return session, but a Juggs machine was used to simulate punts.
