KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs kicked off a three-day mandatory minicamp Tuesday by welcoming familiar faces, and a few new players.
June 16, 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs rookie CB Marcus Peters (22) during individual position drills on Day One of mandatory minicamp at the team’s training facility. Credit: Teope
Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (knee), defensive tackle Dontari Poe (back), running back Charcandrick West (stinger) and defensive lineman Vaughn Martin (ankle) returned to the practice field after missing time during organized team activities.
Tuesday marked Johnson’s and Poe’s first full participation since both sustained their respective injuries on June 2.
Rookie cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Steven Nelson returned to the team after being away from OTAs because of the NCAA quarter system.
Peters and Nelson made an impact in their first practice with veteran teammates.
Peters came up with a deflection during team drills, prompting yells of, “Go, 2-2!” from the sideline, while Nelson had an interception off quarterback Chase Daniel during team drills.
Wide receiver Albert Wilson (hamstring), running back Cyrus Gray (knee) and quarterback Tyler Bray (knee) were on the field without their helmets and did not practice.
The players not present were strong safety Eric Berry (illness), cornerback De’Vante Bausby (clavicle), tight end Demetrius Harris (foot) and outside linebacker Justin Houston, who has yet to sign his franchise tender.
Recently signed offensive lineman Tavon Rooks participated in practice was present on the practice field.
The Chiefs also added a player, claiming guard Marcus Reed off waivers from the Green Bay Packers, according to Tuesday’s NFL Transaction report.
The 6-5, 350-pound Reed, who played collegiately at Fayetteville State, did not practice Tuesday. His signing puts the Chiefs’ offseason roster back to 90 players, the maximum allowed.
The Chiefs also had three players participating in minicamp on a tryout basis: Wide receiver Kealoha Pilares, cornerback Kenneth Penny and offensive lineman Derek Dennis.
The 5-10, 200-pound Pilares entered the league in 2011 out of Hawaii as a fifth-round draft pick of the Carolina Panthers.
Penny, who measures 5-11, 175 pounds, is an undrafted free agent out of UNLV. He previously attended the Chiefs rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
The 6-3, 315-pound Dennis entered the league in 2012 as an undrafted free agent in 2012 with the Miami Dolphins.
He had a short summer stint with the New England Patriots in 2012 before spending two seasons on the Chicago Bears practice squad (2012-13).
He spent the 2014 season with the Carolina Panthers and was waived on April 1, 2015.
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Herbie Teope is the lead beat writer and reporter for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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