On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs held their final practice before shutting it down for two days prior to the preseason opener on Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals. For the most part, the day was a success with the team back in pads.
Next: The 50 Greatest Chiefs of All-Time
For starters, the injuries remained the same with the notable exception of Jeremy Maclin, who returned after missing Tuesday’s practice with a strained neck. Maclin was a full participant, getting some more work in before the weekend. Junior Hemingway (hamstring), Albert Wilson (throat illness), Mike Catapano (groin strain) and Dee Ford (concussion) all did not practice. With the possible exception of Wilson, it would be shocking if any of them suit up for Saturday.
More injuries
The inside linebacker position is really being tested right now for the Chiefs. On Wednesday, Josh Mauga was forced to leave practice with pain in his heel, while rookie D.J. Alexander also exited with a high-ankle sprain. The former could be a problem, the latter definitely is. Don’t expect Alexander back in the fold any time soon. However, this opens up an opportunity, which is apparently being seized …
Justin March just lit somebody the hell up.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 12, 2015
Reid on Justin March: "I like March. Tough kid. We're excited about March."
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 12, 2015
Coach Reid praised the play so far of rookie free agent LB Justin March. Should see plenty of time with a few ILBs banged up right now.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
Offensive line news
On the field, we saw the same starting offensive line for the fifth consecutive day with Eric Fisher, Ben Grubbs, Mitch Morse, Zach Fulton and Jeff Allen starting from left to right. Head coach Andy Reid announced after the practice that this will be the starting five heading into the first preseason tilt.
Berry Strong
We also learned that strong safety Eric Berry will play in the preseason opener, despite being diagnosed with cancer in December and subsequently being held out of contact drills until Monday. Berry has been nothing short of a miracle to this point, and the story keeps getting better.
Tweets, tweets, tweets…
With LB Josh Mauga on the sideline, rookie Ramik Wilson is working with the first-team defense next to Derrick Johnson.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
Derrick Johnson and Jamaal Charles back at it today. pic.twitter.com/hrFjO3WSBj
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
LB Justin March and RB Charcandrick West. pic.twitter.com/0FSkvIdxSB
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
9 on 7 has begun. pic.twitter.com/DXhgipmlWU
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
Derrick Johnson coming downhill on what would be a TFL. Pretty standard. pic.twitter.com/7tGh0zrF0D
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
#Chiefs working on two minute drill and Jeremy Maclin makes a great catch as he reached behind him to snag it out of the air.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
Eric Berry intercepts the pass, runs it back for a TD and then throws the ball into a crowd of cheering fans. Pretty cool moment.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015
Coach Reid praised the play so far of rookie free agent LB Justin March. Should see plenty of time with a few ILBs banged up right now.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 12, 2015