Injuries are always going to be something to watch early in training camp as players report back to their respective teams and franchises provide a public update. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the first day back at St. Joseph for a public practice meant that we got to hear the news that Chiefs safety Justin Reid is among those injured in the early going.
Reid was among those players who were sitting out the day's activities—a list that also included corner Jaylen Watson, offensive lineman Joe Thuney, pass rusher Charles Omenihu, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, and edge rusher B.J. Thompson.
Reid arrived to the practice field at Missouri Western State with a sleeve on his right knee, and head coach Andy Reid clarified later on in remarks to the press that the Chiefs viewed the injury as "day to day" and designated it a quad injury. The team also placed him on the non-football injury (NFI) list.
A bit after practice on Sunday, Reid took to social media to provide a bit of an update himself.
The injury to Reid will be something to watch going forward, but the good news is that the Chiefs run incredibly deep at the position, so this could give younger players a chance to shine in his absence.
Kadarius Toney is one of the most interesting holdovers from a year ago—a player in whom the team has invested quite a bit having come over from the New York Giants in a mid-season trade for third and sixth round choices. Unfortunately so far, Toney has yet to really provide any sustained production for the Chiefs and was a source of frustration and turnovers last season along with other young wide receivers on the team.
This year, there was a question as to whether the Chiefs would find a way to rid themselves of the mercurial player, but Toney is back again in training camp for the Chiefs. On Sunday, fans watched him take some reps in the backfield.
The idea of Toney as a running back option makes sense when you view him less as a well-defined weapon with clearly defined parameters. Instead, his burst and agility make him a true weapon all over the field, and his work in the backfield could be an extension of the sort of gadgetry they want to lean into when it comes to Toney's usage.
The Chiefs still have a need in the backfield for further help—especially for some veteran security at a thin position. But we might see Toney's name back there from time to time as the Chiefs try to find the best way to utilize his talents in '24.
Speaking of Toney, fans at St. Joseph also watched Toney in the mix for returner as well on special teams and a few names were rotating in the same spots, leading us to realize there's a very real competitiion there for responsibilities under Dave Toub's leadership.
Toney, Xavier Worthy, Nikko Remigio, and Mecole Hardman were all taking reps at punt returner on Sunday, and while there are more players who could plug in there, the Chiefs have to like the competitiion brewing between so many young players. Of course, that doesn't include the addition of former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit as well.
While most eyes will overlook the details that emerge on special teams, the returner spots on the roster are two of the most competitive roles on this year's roster.
