On Tuesday, the Kansas City Chiefs hit the practice field outside of Arrowhead Stadium for the start of their second OTA session. The Chiefs have two more days to fulfill in this session before having their third and final OTA next week. After that, the mandatory minicamp which lasts four days.
The major headline coming out of Arrowhead today was the early departure of nose tackle Dontari Poe, who walked off the field with a pair of trainers, according to multiple reports.
Dontari Poe left practice early today with a pair of trainers. Walked off the field.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) June 2, 2015
Poe left practice with a back injury. DJ sat out with knee inflammation.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) June 2, 2015
As you can see, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star is calling Poe’s injury a back ailment. This is concerning considering the man weighs close to 350 pounds and back problems can linger, but it is better than if something went wrong with his knee. Hopefully, Poe can quickly return to the lineup. That said, if Poe needs to rest until August, let the man rest. B.J. Kissel chimed in with this reassuring bit of information:
Neither Derrick Johnson nor Dontari Poe's injuries are considered serious. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
Paylor also touched on Derrick Johnson, who did not participate with knee inflammation. Johnson has not played real football since September, so ramping up his activity likely cause this flare up. It doesn’t concern me, and I expect Johnson will be back soon. Here are some more tweets from Paylor and B.J. Kissel of KCChiefs.com:
Eric Fisher returned to first-team left tackle today.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) June 2, 2015
Sean Smith is killing it. Had an INT and a pass breakup on a downfield route to Hammond, which he punctuated w/his incomplete celebration.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) June 2, 2015
LB Justin March has flashed. He isn’t very big but he has good burst. He jumped a short route today that he should have had for an INT.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) June 2, 2015
Albert Wilson made a very nice catch on a dig, I believe. Good route, settled into zone, elevated over the middle and hauled it in.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) June 2, 2015
Few takeaways from #Chiefs practice today: Alex Smith & Jeremy Maclin seemed to be on the same page during 7-on-7 & 11-on-11 drills.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
There were a few nice hookups between Smith and Maclin down the field as Maclin found an opening in zone coverage. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
Also, Sean Smith had another interception today. This time beating Albert Wilson to the outside off the pass from Alex Smith. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
Right at the start of 7 on 7 work, CB Marcus Cooper had a nice pass breakup down the field on a pass intended for Jason Avant. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
Rookie TE James O'Shaughnessy made a couple of flash plays today by showing some route-running ability on double moves downfield. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
Albert Wilson made a fantastic grab on post route in traffic. He snagged ball out of the air at high point on a great catch & run. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015
Finally, @Charcandrick26 looked to have an extra step to his game on his bday. There's some juice there when he gets it in space. #Chiefs
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) June 2, 2015