Jul 26, 2014; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Chiefs on Monday wrapped up five straight days of practice, including the past three days in pads.
“We had some good work today,” coach Andy Reid said, “got to work a little bit of two-minute (drills) today live, and the guys I thought did a nice job.”
The Chiefs ran 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills featuring the first-team offense against the second-team defense, and then switched to the first-team defense against the second-team offense.
The third-team units faced off against each other, with each segment containing 10-plus snaps.
“We’ll try to do that,” the head coach said of Monday’s practice script. “We’ll try to break down the situations as we go, and by the time we get to game time we should have them all in.”
After a week of on-field workouts as a full team, the Chiefs are off Tuesday before returning to action Wednesday.
And at least one player has plans on how to spend the day off.
“Bubble bath sounds nice,” inside linebacker Joe Mays said. “But I think I’m just going to try and relax, get off my feet, definitely hit the cold tub and try to spend as much time with my family as I can.”
Reid not worried about Alex Smith
The contract extension negotiations between the Chiefs and quarterback Alex Smith remain behind the scenes. But Reid didn’t appear concerned nothing has been finalized a little more than a month from the start of the regular season.
“There’s communication going on,” Reid said, “that’s the important thing. Alex is a good football player. He’s great for this football team. We’re lucky to have him here.”
Reid said general manager John Dorsey is “working through it,” adding the Chiefs and Smith aren’t worried about the situation.
The head coach also didn’t believe the lack of deal as of now would cause a distraction for Smith, a 10-year pro.
“He’s been around,” Reid said. “He knows how it works, so I don’t think that’s a problem.”
Kickers take the spotlight
It’s not often kickers will command attention, but all eyes in the media tent were on Ryan Succop and Cairo Santos when each took turns attempting field goals.
The kickers didn’t disappoint, going 5-of-5 on attempts, including from 50-plus yards.
Their efforts were appreciated not just by the media and fans in attendance, but by the Chiefs head coach.
“They are challenging each other,” Reid said. “Both of them are good kickers. Today was a tie. I told them it was like the World Cup. We practiced for an hour and then they tied. It’s still exciting to watch though.”
Injury updates
Right tackle Donald Stephenson (ankle), center Eric Kush (ankle), wide receiver Junior Hemingway (hamstring), defensive back Sanders Commings (foot, non-football injury list), running back Joe McKnight (knee, PUP list) and cornerback David Van Dyke (hamstring, PUP list) did not practice Monday.
Stephenson suffered his ankle sprain during Sunday’s practice.
“He got rolled up yesterday,” Reid said. “It doesn’t look like it’s too bad, but it was swollen today.”
Hemingway has missed the past two days of practice, but he’s set to return.
“We have the day off here tomorrow (Tuesday),” Reid said. “He should be back the following day.”
Kush, who missed also missed the past two days, is dealing with swelling in his ankle.
“It’s just a matter of getting the swelling out of that thing,” Reid said.
Meanwhile, three players joined the injury list after Monday morning’s practice.
Offensive lineman Otis Hudson dealt with tightening in his lower back and cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke suffered a slight hamstring injury.
Rookie cornerback Phillip Gaines, the team’s third-round pick, sustained a head injury, but it doesn’t sound serious.
“He’s being evaluated right now,” Reid said. “He banged his head a little bit. We’re just taking precautionary measures. I think he’ll probably be OK.”
Of note, Gaines previously dealt with a hamstring injury on the third day of rookies and quarterbacks training camp practice before the veterans reported. He also dealt with an ankle injury during June’s mandatory minicamp.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs have been dealing with minor injuries since the start of training camp, but the team’s head coach didn’t appear concerned.
“That happens normally the first few days then they get back into it,” Reid said. “They’ll be all right.”
Back to action
Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, who left Sunday’s practice after dealing with cramps, returned to the practice field Monday morning.
Also returning to practice are tight end Travis Kelce (knee) and inside linebacker Joe Mays (knee). The teams rested Kelce and Mays on Sunday.
Fullback Jordan Campbell, who left Sunday’s practice with a foot injury, was also on the practice field.
Day Five practice observations
• The rotation at right guard between rookie Zach Fulton and Rishaw Johnson with the first-team unit continued five days into camp. Expect this to be the norm as the Chiefs give both a hard look. Fulton got the shot during 9-on-9 drills, and then Johnson took his turn during 11-on-11 drills. They swapped on the next 11-on-11 drills.
• Fulton displayed versatility by playing center with the second-team offensive line in place of Eric Kush, who sat out of practice with an ankle injury.
• For the second-team offensive line during the first 11-on-11 drill, J’Marcus Webb was at right tackle, Jeff Linkenbach manned right guard, Fulton at center, Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff at left guard and Ryan McKee at left tackle.
• With Donald Stephenson (ankle) sitting out of practice, Ryan Harris ran with the first-team offensive line at right tackle.
• Left tackle Eric Fisher participates in 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills, but observes when the offensive linemen go against the defensive lineman for one-on-one drills.
• Rookie strong safety Daniel Sorensen produced a nice form tackle on tight end Anthony Fasano coming across middle in a bang-bang play for minimum gain.
• Cornerback Ron Parker, who continues to run with the first-team defense at left cornerback, picked off a quarterback Chase Daniel pass in the end zone intended for wide receiver Albert Wilson. The pass sailed, but Daniel also three into triple coverage.
• Cornerback Marcus Cooper mans the right cornerback position with the first-team defense, while cornerback Chris Owens is the nickel. Sean Smith continues to see a majority of snaps with the second-team defense at right cornerback.
• Daniel later made up for the earlier bad decision by threading a pass to wide receiver Jerrell Jackson, who was blanked in tight coverage during 11-on-11 drills.
• Wide receiver Weston Dressler made a sliding catch with a defender draping him on a pass from Daniel during 7-on-7 drills.
• Quarterback Tyler Bray turned in a solid Monday morning practice. He made a memorable deep throw to wide receiver Albert Wilson. Defensive backs Phillip Gaines and Malcolm Bronson appeared to collide to spring Wilson free.
• Quarterback Alex Smith connected on a deep pass to wide receiver Donnie Avery down the right sideline during 11-on-11 drills.
• Outside linebacker Dezman Moses stripped quarterback Tyler Bray, forcing a fumble that outside linebacker Frank Zombo scooped up and began running the other way during 11-on-11 drills. Zombo would’ve scored a touchdown in live action.
• Tight end Adam Schiltz, who signed with the Chiefs on Saturday, made his practice debut. Schiltz replaced Sean McGrath, who retired.
