The Kansas City Chiefs hit the field in pads on Tuesday morning for the second consecutive day at training camp. On Monday, rookie cornerback Marcus Peters was the story. This time around, it was inside linebacker Derrick Johnson who stole the show.
Johnson, 32, is coming off an Achilles injury that put him out for the final 15 games of the 2014 regular season. Johnson has been vocal about his recovery, stating that he feels 100 percent. On Tuesday, he played like a man who did not suffer a career-threatening injury, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
Derrick Johnson is back. Outstanding job recognizing the short pass to the RB. Dove to chop him down for a loss.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 4, 2015
Derrick Johnson also jumped a pass intended for Charles in the flat during individual drills and picked it off for a would-be pick-6.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) August 4, 2015
Obviously getting Johnson back in the fold is a major deal. The All-Pro veteran is going to help Kansas City fix a run defense that ranked 28th in the league last season, something that contributed to the Chiefs missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record. With Johnson, Eric Berry and Mike Devito returning, Kansas City should see a significant jump in this area.
From 2010-13, Johnson recorded at least 107 tackles with a combined 9.5 sacks. Johnson also made the Pro Bowl three times from 2011-13 including a First-Team All-Pro designation in 2011.
In other news, the Chiefs made some adjustments on the offensive line. The right side saw a pair of changes with Zach Fulton replacing Jeff Allen at guard and Derek Sherrod stepping in for Donald Stephenson at tackle. Paylor reported that Fulton looked very good during team and individual drills, at one point pancaking Nick Williams.
Personally, I believe the starting offensive line has already been set in stone and this was simply to promote competition, but who knows.
Also, Phillip Gaines had to leave practice with a sore knee, but it is not considered serious.