News and notes from Chiefs OTAs | KCSN Daily 5.24
Plus latest KCSN podcasts, substack articles, important dates and more Chiefs news.
Welcome back to the latest issue of KCSN Daily, where we deliver the best Kansas City Chiefs content to your inbox.
The Chiefs wrapped their first week of organized team activities (OTAs) on Wednesday. They’ll continue with two more sessions in each of the next two weeks before hosting a three-day mandatory minicamp, which all players are required to attend.
There were some notable absences from practice on Wednesday, with Chris Jones, Isiah Pacheco and Tershawn Wharton all absent from practice. Jones was likely missing due to his contract situation, while Pacheco and Wharton are still recovering from injuries suffered last year. L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie were present, but they were sidelined during practice.
“I’m not going to give you all the injuries,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. “But yeah, we’re just going easy and easing them back.”
This did allow for some younger players to rotate in with the first-team defense, earning some valuable repetitions that could prove vital down the line.
In other news, Reid revealed several nuggets that relate to the team’s roster construction. The most notable related to the situation at left tackle, with former Buccaneers LT Donovan Smith joining the roster. Reid initially indicated that Smith would play on the left side and that Jawaan Taylor would remain at right tackle. In OTAs, Taylor has got some work at left tackle with another playing filling in on the right side.
“For a few practices where he was at the left tackle, then (Lucas) Niang worked in at the right tackle,” Reid said. “We feel good about him too. So we’re in a good place, I think. I believe (Jawaan Taylor) can do both. I don’t think that’s a problem. He got a few snaps at that. But listen, we’ve got two veteran guys that have a lot of snaps under their belt at a high level. So we felt comfortable with that. We’ll just see. We expect the guys behind them to compete and we should be fine there.”
Another wrinkle in the team’s roster construction comes at the fullback position. The team does not currently have a fullback on the 90-man offseason roster and if we’re to take Andy Reid’s word for it, they might not carry one on the 53-man roster this season.
"Yeah, so the tight ends can work into that spot," Reid said. "We know that Noah (Gray) can do all of that. That's kind of where we went with it. We've got a number of tight ends who we feel comfortable with. So, maybe you keep an extra tight end instead of a fullback."
If the Chiefs don’t roster a fullback, it’ll mark the first time in Reid’s tenure as an NFL head coach.
Outside of the roster details, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had the quote of the day in response to questions about his contract status with the team.
KC Laboratory - Kansas City Chiefs OTAs 2023: What to Watch For!
KCSN’s Kent Swanson and Craig Stout talk about the latest Kansas City Chiefs news and rumors coming from phase three of OTAs on Monday and discuss when a Chris Jones extension could be coming.
Download the new KC Sports Network App:
Stay connected to all of your favorite teams with one simple, 100% free app. You’ll get access to eight different audio channels and five YouTube channels funneling to one spot for all your Kansas City sports coverage needs - covering the Chiefs, Royals, Sporting KC, the KC Current, KU, K-State and Mizzou, plus our specialty shows like “Benny and the Bets,” and our new storytelling channel - “KCSN Stories.”
Latest on KCSN Substack:
Are you looking for the latest written analysis from KCSN? Become a paid subscriber for access to exclusive content.
KCSN Podcasts:
Quick Hits:
Tommy Townsend is not pleased with the NFL over their new fair catch rule on kickoffs.
The Chiefs are suing their “official tequila provider” for breach of contract.
GEHA and the Hunt Family Foundation donated $10K to the Delaney 37 Foundation ahead of the 40th anniversary of the former Chiefs running back’s death.
Important Dates Ahead:
May 22-24: OTAs Part 1
May 22-24: Spring League Meeting
May 30-June 1: OTAs Part 2
June 1: Deadline for the usage of the 'June 1' tender
June 2: Money comes off the books for any players deemed a “post-June 1” release.
June 6-9: OTAs Part 3
June 13-15: Mandatory minicamp
June 15-25: Chiefs training camp schedule released
You make a lifetime of difference for a child or teen.
Boys & Girls Clubs is looking for dedicated men and women to invest in the lives of youth through coaching. Did you know by participating in sports, children learn the value of teamwork, responsibility, good sportsmanship, and self-esteem? By becoming a volunteer coach, you are helping to power the dreams—and successful futures—of Kansas City’s kids! The Clubs are currently seeking baseball coaches. Click here to sign up today! All equipment will be provided. No prior coaching experience is needed.