KC Chiefs news: Lucas Niang could be ready by end of training camp

No member of the Kansas City Chiefs organization came into the offseason with bigger health concerns than second-year offensive tackle Lucas Niang. Fortunately, according to general Manager Brett Veach, Niang is right on schedule when it comes to his rehabilitation and could be ready by the end of training camp.

Veach spoke with reporters on Friday in his pre-draft press conference before the NFL’s first-year player draft gets underway in less than a week. During the conference, Veach stated that “everything was where it needs to be” regarding his return, which means he could be back in time to start the season.

Niang’s season ended last year after 9 starts in 12 games for the Chiefs when he suffered a patellar tendon injury in Week 17.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that right tackle Lucas Niang could be ready by the end of training camp.

That’s still a risky bet for the team to take that Niang will be out there and ready by Week 1 of the regular season, but the team has done a good job at building depth and security in case of any issues going forward. They brought back super sub Andrew Wylie, who stepped in as the starter with Niang out last year. The team also signed Geron Christian as a swing tackle away from the Houston Texans.

The Chiefs originally selected Niang in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, but the rookie chose to sit out his first season due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with other players. From there, his first season was held over until 2021 contractually, which means he’s still under control of the Chiefs organization through 2024. If Niang can return to form and lock down the right tackle spot, the Chiefs front line will feature a strong young core for years to come.