ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney tweaked his knee during the team’s first training camp workout Sunday, and one of his teammates says the injury may sideline him until the start of the regular season.
Tight end Travis Kelce said Monday that it was a matter of letting Toney heal and “we’ll take care of the load until he gets back.”
“Just getting that thing right,” Kelce said regarding Toney’s knee “We’ve got all the confidence in the world in our training staff here to get him ready either by season or early on in the season. Got our fingers crossed that we get him back as soon as possible.”
The Chiefs haven’t provided an official update on the status of Toney. Head coach Andy Reid plans to discuss the situation during his Tuesday press conference.
The Chiefs expect much of Toney in 2023 after an electric finish to last year’s campaign. In seven regular-season games last season, he caught 14 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns for the club. In Super Bowl LVII he caught a 5-yard touchdown pass and his two punt returns for 77 yards contributed heavily to Kansas City’s win.
Kelce described Toney as a high-energy guy.
“When he gets the ball, he’s flying around,” Kelce said. “He’s a hard worker. We’re going to miss KT, his ability to make a play out of nowhere and kind of gain that momentum. He was that piece for us in the Super Bowl, he was that piece for us throughout the season last year.
Justin Watson and Rashee Rice appeared to benefit the most from the absence of Toney during the past two days, with both receivers mixing in heavily with the first-team offense alongside projected starters Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore. Richie James also saw more work the No. 1 offense.
Kelce said when Toney returns, however, the Chiefs will be ready.
“It’s just letting him heal up and we’ll take care of the load until he gets back,” Kelce said “But KT ain’t going anywhere, man, we miss that guy already.”
