The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for the sixteenth practice of training camp on Friday morning as the defending Super Bowl champions continued their preparation for the upcoming season.
Here's a quick rundown of what took place during Friday's practice, and for reference, all previous practice reports can be accessed below.
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1. The Chiefs held a second consecutive "10-10-10" practice on Friday.
The Chiefs engaged in a lighter, "10-10-10" style practice on Friday, which focused more on the cerebral part of the game in anticipation of Sunday's preseason opener.
These sorts of practices – which are not padded – essentially seek to demonstrate what success looks like in all three phases. They feature three 11-on-11 segments of 10 plays each, constituting a circuit of 30 plays that is repeated two or three times. The first segment, which is designed for the offense, pits the Chiefs' starting offense against the reserve players on defense, who basically act as a scout team. Next, the starting defense logs 10 plays against the reserve players on offense. The circuit then wraps with 10 special teams plays focused on a specific area.
In simple terms, unlike a typical 11-on-11 segment, each portion of a "10-10-10" practice is largely designed with one side of the ball in mind while the other side provides a scout team look. In each case, the idea is that the starters can experience what success looks like in a given situation while still taking a relative break physically.
This was the fourth "10-10-10" practice of camp so far, and the second in a row. The Chiefs also engaged in a "10-10-10" practice on Wednesday following two-straight padded practices. This system is designed to gradually prepare the players for the grind of the NFL season without pushing or letting up too much in either direction.
2. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes opened the practice with several deep shots down the field.
The offense is supposed to find success during their segments of these "10-10-10" practices, but they still have to take care of business. Fortunately, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' playmakers made sure to do so on Friday.
Mahomes found tight end Travis Kelce for a deep completion down the sideline on one of the first snaps of the practice before connecting with wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Richie James on long passes a bit later. It was a beautiful display that garnered cheers from the thousands of fans who braved the hot weather for Friday's practice.
Overall, the offense certainly seemed to be in rhythm prior to Sunday's preseason opener.
3. Rookie defensive back Chamarri Conner hauled in an interception during a "defensive" segment.
On the other side of the ball, Conner made an impressive play when he hauled in a leaping interception during a "defensive" period of Friday's practice. Conner, who the Chiefs selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, was essentially playing deep center field on the play before grabbing the interception.
4. Head Coach Andy Reid provided an update on what to expect during the Chiefs' preseason opener on Sunday.
Following Friday's practice, Coach Reid revealed that he's planning on providing each of the Chiefs' four quarterbacks – and their corresponding teammates on the depth chart – with one quarter of action on Sunday. For example, the Chiefs' starters – led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes – will ideally play the entirety of the first quarter. The next unit – led by quarterback Blaine Gabbert – will then man the second quarter, and so on. That same system will also apply to the defense.
"Everybody will play. This game here, everybody will play, and they deserve that," Reid said. "They've earned that right. They've made it through this part of camp, and they've earned the right to go out there. Obviously, we can't keep everybody, and I tell them that, but [I want them to] make the decision hard on [General Manager] Brett [Veach] and myself. We're going to give you an opportunity to put yourself on tape. Prepare, and then go shine."
The Chiefs kick off the preseason on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints at 12 p.m. CT on KSHB (NBC).
5. Here's a look at Friday's injury report.
Tailback Isiah Pacheco, defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee), tight end Jody Fortson (shoulder), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (knee) and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (knee) will not play in Sunday's game, per Coach Reid.
In some good news, there were no additional injuries to report following Friday's practice.
The Chiefs' next open practice at Missouri Western State University will take place on Tuesday morning. For a look at the training camp schedule or for more information on how to reserve tickets, click here.
