The Kansas City Chiefs' quarterbacks and rookies took the field for the third and final day of "pre-camp" at Missouri Western State University on Friday as the rest of the roster began to descend on St. Joseph.
This week's "pre-camp," which featured the Chiefs' quarterbacks, rookies and a handful of select veteran players who were rehabbing injuries, was intended to provide that group with a head start before the veterans arrived for the first full-team practice on Sunday.
Friday's practice was a little unique as Head Coach Andy Reid, as he normally does for the third "pre-camp" practice every year, gave many of the select veteran players in attendance the morning off. That meant additional snaps for quarterbacks Chris Oladokun and Ian Book as Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz enjoyed a day removed from the field.
"[Days like this] are great. Every rep is important," said Oladokun, who has spent the last two seasons on the Chiefs' practice squad. "It's good to see live [action] and then get in the classroom to make corrections. It's really important for me, [because] when Patrick and Carson come back, those reps get pretty short. So, every rep is critical for me."
Each of those reps provided Oladokun and the roughly three dozen players on the field with once final chance to prepare before things really get going on Sunday morning.
"It's night and day [when the rest of the team arrives]," Oladokun said. "[This has been] a really good time for the rookies and all four of us quarterbacks to get our feet back on the ground, but once the vets get here, it really ramps up. Not even just on the field, but in the classroom. That's where it really ramps up. So, it's going to be important [for] everyone to make sure we're staying in our playbooks."
Sunday's practice will mark the first of an NFL-most 19 sessions open to the public, nearly all of which are free to attend. Tickets are required for every practice, however, and can be reserved by clicking here.
In terms of what took place the last few days, here are some quick notes from Thursday and Friday's "pre-camp" practices:
- On Thursday, wide receiver Jaaron Hayek made a leaping catch down the sideline during 7-on-7 drills. It was probably the play of the day.
- Wide receiver Xavier Worthy caught a touchdown in the back of the end zone during a 7-on-7 red zone period. Worthy added another impressive catch later in the practice.
- Quarterback Carson Wentz made a slick sidearm throw to running back Emani Bailey on a quick screen during red zone drills. Bailey then turned upfield for the score.
- Wide receiver Kyle Sheets tallied a great catch in the corner of the end zone during the red zone period before hauling in another touchdown on the very next snap.
- On Friday, cornerback Kamal Hadden tipped a pass that was then hauled in by linebacker Swayze Bozeman for an interception during 7-on-7 drills.
- Just a few snaps later, safety Trey Dean and cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace teamed up to record another takeaway on a deep pass down the sideline. Dean tipped the pass before Roland-Wallace corralled the football for another pick.
- Linebacker Curtis Jacobs tallied a pass-breakup on a short throw during 7-on-7 red zone drills.
- Wide receiver Philip Brooks made a strong grab in the back of the end zone for a touchdown during the 7-on-7 red zone period.
- Defensive back D.J. Miller recorded an interception off a tipped ball during the red zone segment of practice.
The Chiefs will now have a day off from on-field practices before kicking off training camp on Sunday morning. For a schedule of this year's open practices, click here.
