ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Athletic trainers were busy at Chiefs practice Wednesday as five players left the workout early due to injuries, including linebacker Nick Bolton and wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
Head coach Andy Reid said Bolton banged his left elbow while Toney injured his ankle. Also leaving practice Wednesday was offensive tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick (ankle), offensive guard McKde Mettauer (ankle) and tight end Izaiah Gathings (hamstring). It does not appear at first glance that any of the injuries appear serious, including that of Bolton.
“(Bolton) tweaked his elbow, yeah. Just kind of caught him in between two guys,” Reid said.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin) returned in a limited role Wednesday after missing two practices while cornerback Jaylen Watson (shoulder) passes his physical and was removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. With Watson limited and Nazeeh Johnson out after tweaking his knee over the weekend, Kelvin Joseph took most of the reps opposite Trent McDuffie as the left cornerback.
“It’s been good for the young guys to get some get some reps in there, you know,” Reid said. “Watson came back, got some reps today so getting back in the swing of things. If he starts working in that’ll be a positive. But for the young guys, the Josephs of the world there they, they all get a look and so that’s good work for them.
Left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) also worked in a limited role Wednesday with Hunter Nourzad filling in for him with the first-team offense. Wide receiver Justin Watson (foot) did not practice. Safety Justin Reid (quad) and defensive end BJ Thompson remain on the non-football injury list while defensive end Charles Omenihu (knee) and defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (tricep) remain on the PUP list.
Athletic trainers are always cautious with injuries, but practice conditions on Wednesday add to the trepidation when taking players out of practice. Temperatures peaked at 87 by the end of the 2-hour workout with a heat index in the upper 90s. By the end of practice, approximately half the team took to one knee rather than stand to conserve every ounce of energy.
Reid said the team’s athletic trainers prepared the players for a tough day in the heat of the St. Joseph summer.
“We do a lot beforehand trying to make sure the guys are hydrated so they’re not coming out. We don’t have very many of the hydration issues, which is positive. Our trainers do a nice job with that. And then during practice, we water break them. So we’ll go a certain number of plays. And then you’ll see the people run the water in and give them a quick shot and then pop back out.”
