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On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their three-day mandatory mini-camp at the team’s training facility on the grounds of the Truman Sports Complex.
A total of nine Kansas City players were absent from the required session. By the end of the day, we knew that one of them – defensive end Frank Clark – was on full minicamp leave because he’s expecting the birth of his next child. Most others are known (or suspected) to be involved with injuries.
Arrowhead Pride Pete Sweeney was among the media watching the session. He submitted his observations in a Twitter thread that contained additional information on injuries.
CB Joshua Williams, who caught my eye while he was active, watched practice in a ball cap (at this point it’s unknown what the issue is). I caught Williams carefully observing defensive setups and carefully going over the moves while doing mental repetitions.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Williams and fellow rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie (who was among those absent on Wednesday) had both left the practice on Tuesday with obvious injuries. Now a wide receiver once again saw limited action.
WR Daurice Fountain was restricted for the second straight day without teamwork after individual training and I noticed kinesiology tape on the inside of his right thigh. May indicate an ongoing groin problem, or it could very well be something else.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
But Fountain was also on the individual drills to which he was limited well done.
The Chiefs WRs began lone work with a one-handed drag drill. Of the receivers, Fountain and Josh Gordon had the easiest time securing the ball with a single hand. As previously mentioned, Fountain was limited and Gordon eventually left practice early after being shaken up.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
There was better news about two other wideouts who missed time at voluntary OTA sessions.
Injury observation: WRs Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore continued to move well after dealing with hamstring problems earlier this offseason. Hardman dispensed with the leg compression sleeves for kinesiology tape during Wednesday’s session.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
A Video posted by the Chiefs showed that the second-round rookie was in high spirits.
The media was not alone on Wednesday. Another audience was present for the session.
More than 300 season ticket members attended Wednesday’s Chiefs Rewards First Look workout. @KCChiefs_Matt & @mitchholthus teamed up for an in-house broadcast of the training with individual radios for each fan.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
As he watched the practice, Sweeney saw heard home broadcast — pointing to Kansas City’s star tight end.
A sticking point of @mitchholthus On the internal broadcast were the interactions he’s had this offseason with Travis Kelce, who leads a group of returnees (among the newcomers) who are hungrier than ever. Holthus mentioned that Kelce (in his 10th year) trains just as hard as the UDFA.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was there in front of an audience up to his usual tricks.
During the Team Blitz period, QB Patrick Mahomes’ cadence was in midseason form. On one game, Mahomes appeared to have made the entire D-line jump, which would have matched one of the free plays we’ve grown accustomed to seeing from him.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
On another repetition Mahomes used a flash.
Mahomes watched the flash and floated a pass about 15 yards down the field to the wide-open WR Marquez Valdes scantling, who caught him with a stride and took him all the way down for a touchdown. Probably the loudest cheer of the day from the fans in attendance.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
After practice Kansas City’s third-year linebacker talked about the quarterback.
LB Willie Gay on Mahomes: “Honestly, I treat all quarterbacks the same, but the good thing for me is that I think my quarterback is better than everyone else.”
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Also gay mentioned being burned during Tuesday’s session.
Gay was caught by a no-look from Mahomes during Tuesday’s practice, leading to Wednesday’s Quote of the Day:
“[My defensive coach] Said I was staring at the quarterback – staring at him for too long.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
At Wednesday’s team practice session, Jody Fortson-turned-wide-receiver-turned-tight-end – now back from his injury in 2021 – made a play.
Attacking 7-on-7, Fortson made an impressive jump catch from Mahomes on the left touchline.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Another tight ending caught Sweeney’s gaze.
TE Jordan Franks flashed for the second straight day. Came in after a tight end, dropping a pass in 7v7 and holding a sharp pass from Crum between three defenders. Franks added a nice catch from Bouchele as a team. I wonder if Franks sees more opportunities.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Other standouts from this look: WR Omar Bayliss, TE Travis Kelce, WR Cornell Powell
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
In defense, Sweeney noted a defensive end as a sophomore.
Defensive Notes During Team Blitz: I thought DE Mike Danna had some juice and might have had a sack or two. LB Darius Harris stayed in cover at TE Jody Fortson long enough for QB Chad Henne to drill Harris in the back with a pass.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Still…it was a safety novice who drew the most attention. (Editor’s note: Cook was actually selected in the second round with pick 30 of the round.)
Player of the day during Wednesday’s look was rookie 3rd-round safety Bryan Cook.
In the team pass period, Mahomes rolled to the right and threw a pass low* to his left on the run. Cook was right there to contain the interception.
*Could have been free play
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Cook kept playing.
On the very next play, Cook nearly intercepted Henne on a pass intended for WR Cornell Powell. During the final phase of team practice, Cook added another interception, this time from Henne. At a camp considered a transit camp, Cook had a two-pick day.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
But cook wasn’t the only defender picking up passes.
While Cook shone in teamwork, DB Luq Barcoo showed himself in 7v7. Barcoo and Harris each had passing separations from Mahomes, and Barcoo later intercepted QB Shane Bouchele. Rookie DB Jaylen Watson also intercepted Bouchele during a 7-on-7.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Even a local player got into the action.
Local hopeful Brandin Dandridge intercepted QB Dustin Crum during the team pass period. Dandrige will try to carry that momentum to his Missouri Western college campus in early August.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
Speaking to reporters after training, the star of the team’s defensive called his teammates “gritty”.
So all in all, an excellent defensive day for them #bosses.
DT Chris Jones on 2022 defensive identity: “Gritty. If you want to sum it up in one word, we have to be a ‘gritty’ defense… don’t let go of the rope. We always fight.”
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) June 15, 2022
click here for Pete Sweeney’s observations from Day 1.
