KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs opened their first official practice of the regular season Sunday with a nearly a full house, yet all eyes were focused on wide receiver Kadarius Toney and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who were on the practice field in front of the media for the first time in more than a month.
“Right now (Toney’s) good to go, he’s moving around pretty good,” head coach Andy Reid said Sunday morning before practice. “We’ll take it day-by-day by right now I’d tell you they’re good to go.”
Toney has been off the practice field since suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee during the opening practice of training camp on July 23. Sneed hasn’t bee seen on the practice field since July 28 when the club shut him down due to inflammation in his left knee.
Reid said he needs to see how the pair perform on the practice field before making a determination for their availability against the Detroit Lions Thursday night.
“(Toney) practiced the other day fast and he’ll get in there today and do the same thing,” Reid said. “And then we’ll just take it day by day. Make sure he’s feeling alright with he’s leg. And then I’d tell you the same thing with Sneed, same deal. We’re just going to play it by ear.”
For Thursday games, teams are not required to issue official injury reports until Monday. The Chiefs will file full injury reports on Monday and Tuesday along with an estimated report with game-day designations on Wednesday.
Offensive lineman Nick Allegretti (shoulder), cornerback Nic Jones (hand), linebacker Leo Chenal (hip) also participated in Sunday’s practice. Chenal, who sustained a hip pointer in the preseason finale against Cleveland, said the layoff after the game helped him recover quickly.
“You never want it to happen but it’s good timing having those days off,” Chenal said.
The only player on the active roster absent from Sunday’s practice was defensive tackle Neil Farrell, who was acquired via trade with Las Vegas last Tuesday. He was excused from practice Sunday for personal reasons. Reid didn’t rule out the possibility of Farrell playing Thursday night.
“We’ll just get him back here tomorrow and see,” Reid said. “See how he does working himself in there. He’s in shape. That’s one thing is because he had been playing, so I’m not worried about that.”
With the Chis Jones holdout entering its 44th day Sunday, the Chiefs are a bit undermanned at defensive tackle. Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn Wharton are the projected starters with Farrell and rookie Keondre Coburn backing them up. Defensive end Malik Herring also has the ability to kick inside. Charles Omenihu, who also sports outside/inside versatility, is starting the season on the suspended list for the first six games of the year.
Although Wharton started the final preseason game against the Browns, Thursday night will mark his first regular season game since suffering a torn ACL last October. There’s a strong possibility the Chiefs will elevate defensive tackle Matt Dickerson from the practice to reinforce the depth at defensive tackle.
“We’ll be okay,” Reid said. “We got good players so we’ll be all right.”
