Eric Berry, Justin Houston, Marcus Peters missing from Chiefs OTAs

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up the first practice of OTAs and several key defensive veterans are missing.

The Kansas City Chiefs are currently getting their spring practice schedule underway with the third wave called OTAs, or organized team activities. It’s important to note that every one of the practices this weekend are considered voluntary for everyone involved, so when you read that a player is not present, it’s cause for alarm only if there is reason to suspect that player is unhappy with his contract or some other such reasons. That said, three players of significant popularity were missing from the first day: Eric Berry, Justin Houston and Marcus Peters.

Many times, players will have permission to work out on their own in various places closer to their homes, especially if that player is rehabbing an injury. It will be interesting to hear Andy Reid explain the absence of some players here, especially Berry who just signed a six-year extension with the Chiefs this offseason.

The first time that players have to show up will be on June 13-15 for the team’s mandatory minicamp. Only then will the Chiefs be authorized to fine a player for not showing up. Of course that won’t stop some from wondering when and where these players are at and what excuse they have for not being in Kansas City right now. Such is the loose meaning of “voluntary” in the NFL these days.