Chiefs injury update: Juan Thornhill, Blake Bell miss practice on Thursday
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without a few new players due to injuries on Thursday, including second round pick rookie safety Juan Thornhill.
One of the Kansas City Chiefs most exciting new additions from the 2019 NFL Draft will be held out of practice on Thursday as one of a few players nursing some injuries. Safety Juan Thornhill, taken in the second round by the Chiefs in April’s draft, sat out practice along with a couple key tight ends fighting for roster spots behind Travis Kelce.
The Chiefs took to the field on Thursday for more player drills and non-padded practice sessions. Andy Reid told reporters that three players in particular were missing among those expected to practice: Thornhill, tight end Blake Bell, and tight end Deon Yelder.
Thornhill is the biggest name of the three and the most important contributor of the lot, although a injury termed as “tweaked his calf” in early June is likely nothing to be alarmed about. The Chiefs will certainly want to keep Thornhill rested and watch him closely moving forward. It’s important that he’s able to learn as much as he can as an incoming rookie potentially given starter’s reps, but there’s also plenty of time moving forward to grow into the position in training camp and even into the regular season.
The players likely hurt the most from not competing, depending on how long they are out, are the others: Yelder and Bell. After Kelce, the tight end position on the roster is wide open, and the Chiefs have made it clear that they’re not content with the talent already in house. The team has turned over competitors in recent days by bringing in and then releasing John Phillips in an eight day span. Less than a week ago, the Chiefs also signed former Ravens tight end Nick Keizer. David Wells is also a part of the tight end group trying to impress for Demetrius Harris‘ old spot.