Parker Ehinger sounds ready to go for Kansas City Chiefs

If Parker Ehinger’s Instagram means what it seems, the Kansas City Chiefs could have their starting left guard back.

The return of Parker Ehinger has been one of the smaller storylines for the Kansas City Chiefs this preseason. After a long offseason spent rehabbing a knee injury that occurred last November, the Chiefs have been waiting for their starting left guard to return to the field for some much-needed reps in practice. That moment has seemingly arrived if Ehinger’s Instagram can be believed.

Now the question remains: does the position belong to Ehinger? During his absence, the Chiefs made some interesting moves with one of Ehinger’s fellow linemen. First they gave Bryan Witzmann an extension to keep him in K.C. through 2018 at least, then they installed him at left guard with the first team and never moved him since. While other guys like Zach Fulton, Mike Person, Damien Mama, Andrew Tiller and so on keep rotating positions to gain reps and experience, Witzmann has been first-team left guard at all times. Will it continue?

More from Arrowhead Addict

• Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
• Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
• Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
• Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
• KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator

Ehinger earned the left guard spot right out of college last season, shortly after the Chiefs selected him out of Cincinnati in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was a surprise install from the beginning, but the Chiefs enjoyed such great success with the same approach with Mitch Morse at center that fans were hopeful. It was also clear that Ehinger was a quick study, showing improvement week after week as he adjusted to the pro level. Then came the devastating injury.

Let’s be clear: the typical NFL player will tell the media the same thing every time. Expect the same from Ehinger. He and Witzmann will likely say something like, ‘I look forward to the competition.” Maybe even something like, “I’m just happy to help the team in any way I can.” It’s player-speak, same as coach-speak, and it’s intended to be generic.

The Chiefs will do much of the speaking for Ehinger against the Bengals and in the ensuing days and weeks. Andy Reid will want to get his first-team unit working together for as long as possible and if the vision is for Ehinger to reclaim his spot, he will be there early and often if the training staff has given him the all-clear. That said, if Witzmann has shown the sort of potential they love, then Ehinger might be given a slower path back.