Aug. 9, 2014; St. Joseph, MO; Rookie kicker Cairo Santos (5) kicks field goals at training camp. Credit: John West
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Chiefs got healthier Saturday, as players who previously missed a good chuck of training camp practices returned.
Wide receiver Junior Hemingway, who hasn’t practiced since July 26 with a hamstring injury, was on the field in pads and back to working at the slot with the first-team offense.
The Chiefs made an effort to get Hemingway involved early during 11-on-11 drills, as quarterback Alex Smith went to Hemingway with the first few passes.
Wide receiver Mark Harrison, who didn’t practice since July 31 with a hamstring injury, returned.
Defensive end Mike Catapano, who previously missed a week of practice with an illness, also returned.
Players present on the field, but not practicing Saturday are defensive end Mike DeVito (hand), defensive tackle Kyle Love (ankle), defensive end Kona Schwenke (shoulder), kicker Ryan Succop (groin) and wide receiver Albert Wilson.
Wilson, who originally injured his ankle Thursday night, reported on the field in pads with his left ankle taped. He went through the stretching period before joining DeVito, Love and Schwenke to work with trainers.
“He tried to go,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Wilson, “but couldn’t. He’ll be fine with time here.”
Reid said DeVito has a broken hand. The eighth-year pro has a soft cast on his left hand.
The Chiefs excused wide receiver Donnie Avery for personal reasons.
Day 12 practice observations
• Cornerback Ron Parker remained with the first-team defense at right cornerback throughout Saturday morning’s practice. He produced an interception off quarterback Alex Smith during the first portion of 11-on-11 drills.
• Spread game analyst/special projects coach Brad Childress works extensively with rookie running back De’Anthony Thomas when the team breaks off into position drills early in practice. The running backs often take one end zone, while the wide receivers occupy the opposite field end zone area. Thomas and Childress are in the middle and off to the side going over route running.
• With Mike DeVito (hand) not practicing, Jaye Howard filled in with the first-team defense at right defensive end. Howard had four tackle (three solo) and a sack in the preseason opening win against the Cincinnati Bengals.
• Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins filled at for Donnie Avery with the first-team offense.
• Rookie kicker Cairo Santos went 9-of-10 on field goal attempts, including connecting from 50-plus yards. His lone miss went wide right.
• Wide receiver Weston Dressler turned in two nice catches during 11-on-11 drills. The first came when Dressler, working out of the slot on the right side of the offensive line, came across the middle of the field to the left sideline and made the grab on a pass from quarterback Chase Daniel. Dressler later made a sliding grab in the end zone on a pass from quarterback Aaron Murray.
• Wide receiver Kyle Williams displayed concentration during a leaping sideline catch on the left sideline from quarterback Tyler Bray. Williams maintained body control and both feet inbounds as he leaned beyond the boundary mark to haul in the catch.
• The Chiefs continue to give a hard look at third-year pro Ricky Henry, who saw time Saturday with the first-team unit at left guard. Henry also saw time at right guard with the first-team line the last practice before the preseason opener. Henry appears to be pushing Rishaw Johnson for a backup guard roster spot.
• Cornerback Sean Smith had an interception off quarterback Alex Smith during 7-on-7 drills.
