The Kansas City Chiefs took one step closer to football season on Tuesday as rookies, quarterbacks and a handful of players rehabbing from injuries reported to Missouri Western State University for another year of training camp.
The idea is that this introductory "pre-camp," which includes three practices before the rest of the team arrives on Friday, will serve as a quick refresher so that the youngest players in attendance can hit the ground running when camp actually begins on Sunday.
"I think it's great for all these guys just to get in, to become familiar and to go through it one more time before the veterans get in and everything is going 100 miles an hour," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "It's slowed down. They'll get the same [play] installs – the first three installs for when the vets get in. I think it's a real positive for everybody."
This week's "pre-camp" practices will also provide the Chiefs' rookies with a chance to acclimate to the daily routine under Coach Reid up in St. Joseph, which is often described as one of the most demanding training camps – both physically and mentally – in the league. In fact, the Chiefs are one of only a few remaining teams that continues to hold an off-site training camp away from the team facility.
It's a long time to be away from home, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes pointed out multiple benefits of the Chiefs' training camp experience while speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
"I think it's just the relationships. When you're all in this together, every single step of the way, you build friendships," Mahomes said. "[It's also beneficial because] you go to practice, you work hard, and then you can talk about it right after. It's not like you're going home [afterward]. I have a lot of conversations with guys like [safety] Justin Reid and [linebacker] Nick Bolton, and we talk about what can make each other better."
As for any changes to Mahomes' packing list for his eighth training camp as a professional, the 28-year-old quarterback had a quick answer.
"This is my first year I'm bringing a TV," Mahomes said. "I haven't brought a TV ever before, but [the College Football 25 video game] came out, so I'm going to have to turn that on. I brought a TV for NCAA and the Olympics, so that's my first year of doing that."
In terms of an injury update, Coach Reid revealed that defensive end BJ Thompson, who suffered a medical emergency prior to practice in mid-June, will begin training camp on the NFI, or "Non-Football Illness/Injury" List.
"He's doing great, but he's going through some procedures as we talk here," Reid said. "He'll keep going with that and then we'll keep you updated as we go."
Additionally, Reid said that four players will likely begin camp on the PUP, or "Physically Unable to Perform" List: cornerback Jaylen Watson, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, offensive guard Joe Thuney and defensive end Charles Omenihu.
Notably missing from that group was rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who Coach Reid reported was ready to return to action after missing several offseason practices with a hamstring injury.
Worthy and the rest of the Chiefs' rookies will take the field on Wednesday alongside Mahomes and Kansas City's quarterbacks as the first of three "pre-camp" practices takes place at Missouri Western.
