St. Joseph saw another day of padded practices for the Kansas City Chiefs as they continue to prep for their first preseason game against the L.A. Rams. Positional battles are in full swing, but injuries are complicating a few spots, making it hard to evaluate the talent on hand. Here's what you need to know from Friday's training camp practice.
Patrick Mahomes' preseason status
After giving injury updates to start the media session on Friday, Reid updated reporters on his line of thinking regarding starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes' status for the team's first preseason game. The L.A. Rams are scheduled to visit Arrowhead on August 15, and Reid admitted "there's a pretty good chance that I don't play him."
"The percentages are leaning that way, and I don't know if I'll play him in the second or the third game. But the percentages likely lean against doing that. We've got other guys in those positions behind him that need some work, and so the more reps they get, the better."
Trey Smith missing in action
The Chiefs were without Trey Smith, their Pro Bowl right guard, at Friday's practice. After practice, Andy Reid explained more of what was happening. "Trey, his hip was bothering him. We sent him to a specialist just to get it checked out. Precautionary. He's gonna be okay." Further details likely to come after the specialist.
Smith's absence forced a shift on the right side, with rookie Kahlil Benson sliding inside from his post at right tackle all week. Veteran Jaylon Moore stepped in at tackle, with the rest of the first-team offensive line positioned as normal—left tackle Josh Simmons, left guard Kingsley Suamataia, and center Creed Humphrey
Cyrus Allen back in pads
The Chiefs lost Cyrus Allen to injury last Saturday, and the team's fifth-round pick has missed practices ever since. Fortunately, the team knew he'd avoided a major injury after colliding with cornerback Kaiir Elam in special teams drills, and his shin bruise has healed enough to return for the first time since padded practices began. Given how impressive he's looked early in camp, it's heartening to see him back a full week before the Chiefs' preseason opener against the L.A. Rams.
Other injuries
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid called it a "very productive" day overall and noted the good work for Rashee Rice and Mansoor Delane as both players continue to make progress getting back toward full strength.
While Allen returned, the Chiefs' other injured wideout, Xavier Worthy, was still not ready to come back after injuring his shoulder while landing on it awkwardly while making a catch. Worthy has missed the same amount of time as Allen.
The Chiefs also held linebackers Drue Tranquill and Jeffrey Bassa out after both players were ailing during Thursday's practice. Tranquill was dealing with back spasms, which was a preseason issue for him a year ago, so it's hard to tell when he will return to practice. But Bassa, who is dealing with a groin strain, is the greater concern for reps, since Tranquill is a veteran.
Defensive backs Kristian Fulton and L'Jarius Sneed and defensive linemen Ashton Gillotte and Omarr Norman-Lott were the other Chiefs players not participating in drills.
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