Jul 26, 2014; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Fans enter Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University. Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Chiefs wrapped up seven days of training camp practices and the injury bug continues to rear its head.
All-Pro strong safety Eric Berry left Thursday’s practice with coach Andy Reid called a “sore ankle.”
“It’s not an Achilles tear or any of that,” Reid said, “but they’re evaluating him. They’re just seeing what it is.”
Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins and cornerback Marcus Cooper left Thursday’s practice with what Reid categorized as “slight hamstring” injuries.
Defensive lineman Mike Catapano missed a second straight day of practice with the flu, while Reid announced Sanders Commings is scheduled for ankle surgery.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Junior Hemingway (hamstring), wide receiver Mark Harrison (hamstring) and cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke (hamstring) did not practice.
Hemingway has missed four straight practices.
Running back Joe McKnight (knee) and cornerback David Van Dyke (hamstring) remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
The Chiefs have ducked a major injury outside of Commings.
Most of the players since training camp started have dealt with minor nicks, such as ankle injuries and the Chiefs are currently dealing with six hamstring injuries.
Through it all, Reid doesn’t appear overly concerned.
“It happens as you go through camp,” Reid said, “your legs get tired. You get those camp strings, those tight hamstrings. We’ll be fine. You push through it.”
Return to action
Offensive lineman Otis Hudson, who missed two days of practice with back spasms, returned to the field Thursday.
Day Seven practice observations
• With Eric Berry leaving practice, the Chiefs rotated safeties during 7-on-7, 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 drills. Jerron McMillian filled in during the first 9-on-9 segment before giving way to rookie Daniel Sorensen, who saw time with the first-team unit during the 11-on-11 drills.
• Rookie guard Zach Fulton may be putting some distance between himself and Rishaw Johnson for the right guard battle. Fulton has run with the first-team offensive line during 11-on-11 drills for two straight days. The two linemen previously alternated days.
• The Chiefs continue to tinker and look at different combinations on the offensive line, especially with the second-team unit. Ryan McKee, whom the Chiefs signed after a successful tryout during rookie minicamp, saw time at right tackle and left tackle. Starting left guard also saw time at right tackle with Ricky Henry moving to left guard.
• Cornerbacks Ron Parker and Marcus Cooper swapped sides with the first-team defense. Parker, who previously was at left cornerback, moved to the right side. Prior to leaving with a hamstring injury, Cooper manned the left side. Sean Smith took over at right cornerback after Cooper left.
• Parker dropped a sure interception during 11-on-11 drills. He immediately dropped and did push-ups on the field.
• Wide receiver Kyle Williams had at least two touchdowns during 11-on-11 goal line drills. He looks 100 percent healthy from the ACL tear in his left knee suffered in late November 2013.
• Tight end Anthony Fasano made an acrobatic, juggling catch on a pass thrown behind him from quarterback Alex Smith during 7-on-7 goal line drills. Fasano came open along the back of the end zone when Smith threw the ball. Fasano reached behind with the momentum carrying him forward, tipped the ball to himself at least three times before securing the catch for a touchdown.
• Second-year wide receiver Frankie Hammond continues to come on, beating cornerback Sean Smith for a touchdown on a pass from quarterback Chase Daniel.
• Rookie wide receiver Darryl Surgent arguably made the catch of the day during 11-on-11 drills. Surgent streaked down the left sideline when he came open in the end zone. Rookie quarterback spotted Surgent and slightly overthrew the pass, but Surgent made a circus one-handed reception, diving full extension before hauling it in with his left hand.
