Nuts and Bolts of Tuesday's practice

• Chiefs held their seventh of 10 OTA practices on Tuesday afternoon
• The weather touched 90 degrees, which makes it the hottest day of OTAs thus far
• Linebacker Derrick Johnson returned to practice for the positional period, but left before team work and live drills, which was the plan
• Dontari Poe (back) and Albert Wilson (hamstring) did not practice
• Cornerback DeVante Bausby left practice early with a shoulder injury
• Running back Knile Davis, receiver Jason Avant and cornerback Phillip Gaines spoke to the media after practice

Top Plays from Thursday's practice

It was definitely a day for the offense on Tuesday as there were four different head-turning catches during the live period.

The first came from Frankie Hammond Jr., who made a beautiful one-handed catch up the right sideline on a vertical route pass from Alex Smith.

In what seems like a daily occurrence, rookie receiver Kenny Cook once again made a highlight catch during 7-on-7 drills. He adjusted well to the ball in the air and was able to high-point it over the defender and come down with it in a 50-50 situation.

But arguably the best two catches of the day came from receiver Armon Binns.

Binns' first catch came on a pass down the field from Chase Daniel. Between two defenders, Binns was able to wrestle the ball away in midair and come down for the fantastic reception down the field.

The second catch resulted in a touchdown during red zone work. Binns caught a fade in the corner of the end zone over cornerback Phillip Gaines, who had great inside position but was unable to knock the ball away from Binns' grasp.

Clips from Practice

Here are a few clips of what went on early at practice on Tuesday:

Player Spotlight – CB Phillip Gaines

One of the guys who has been making plays for the Chiefs' defense during this first part of OTA practices has been second-year cornerback Phillip Gaines.

As a rookie last season, Gaines displayed all the quickness and ability needed to play on either the inside or the outside or the Chiefs' defense. In total, Gaines played 371 snaps for the defense last season.

As he mixes up his time between playing the nickel or sliding out and playing on the outside during OTAs, Gaines said he added a little weight coming into this season. He said after Tuesday's practice that he's around 190 pounds right now, compared to the 182 pounds he played at last season.

Despite not wearing pads during OTAs, Gaines said he and his fellow defensive backs can get plenty of work done right now.

"Pads for the outside guys are just protection because we can't be too physical past five yards," Gaines explained. "It's really about getting your feet in the right position. Hands, eyes and just playing the ball when it's in the air."

Through the first part of OTAs, Gaines has made a handful of beautiful plays for the defense as they compete against the offense in 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.

Gaines and the rest of the defensive backs have been getting plenty of reps as they're missing two of the rookies that will be joining them next week for the Chiefs' mandatory minicamp (June 16-18).

Because of an NFL rule that doesn't allow rookies to participate in OTAs before their academic term is over, both Marcus Peters, the Chiefs' first-round pick, and Steve Nelson, the team's third-round pick, haven't been able to practice.

As those two join Gaines and the rest of the defensive backs next week, there's going to be some catching up to do for these two drafted rookies.

Gaines, who was in their shoes last year, said he will be more than willing to help them out and get them up to speed. 

"It's a big responsibility because when you're coming in trying to learn, the coaches might explain it one way, but then the players might be able to simplify it even more," Gaines noted. "I'll always try and make it simple as possible, let them know you don't have to overthink it.

"I'll definitely be ready to help them out."

Player Press Conferences