The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for the fifth official practice of training camp on Monday in preparation for the upcoming season.
Here's a quick rundown of what took place during Monday's practice, and for reference, every previous practice report can be accessed through the links below.
1. Jody Fortson was the only player who didn't practice on Monday.
Fortson, who left Saturday's practice early with a quad injury, didn't participate in Monday's session. The good news, however, is that Fortson's injury doesn't appear to be serious.
"It doesn't look too bad at all," said Head Coach Andy Reid following practice. "I think it'll be a few days and we'll get him back out there."
Other than Fortson, the only players on Monday's injury report were the three individuals who remain on the "Physically Unable to Perform" list (cornerback Rashad Fenton, offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho and offensive tackle Lucas Niang).
Reid also added that quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who briefly left practice, was OK.
2. It was the first day in pads.
The Chiefs donned pads on Monday for the first time since last year's AFC Championship Game, marking a significant step in the "ramp up" toward actual football.
"The pads were on and the sun was out. It was a dog day, but we got through it and got a lot of work in," said tight end Travis Kelce. "We have a lot of things to learn from, and that's every day in training camp. Once you set the tempo of how we work here – and Coach Reid did that during OTAs – we hit the ground running [here in camp]. We're finding ways to keep getting better every single day."
The practice included a "team blitz" period, a "team run" period and a more varied team period toward the end. It marked the first of three-consecutive padded practices that will run through Wednesday.
3. Wide receiver Justin Watson broke free for a long touchdown during team drills.
Watson made perhaps his best play of camp on Monday, hauling in a quick pass over the middle before turning on the jets and showing off his speed for a touchdown that covered approximately 60 yards. The timing was perfect on the play, allowing Watson to catch quarterback Chad Henne's pass in-stride without slowing down.
Earlier this offseason, Patrick Mahomes spoke about how Watson's speed was a pleasant surprise during the Chiefs' unofficial workouts in Texas. All these months later, he had a chance to show off that speed with the pads on during Monday's practice.
4. Defensive back Zayne Anderson hauled in two interceptions.
Anderson made a pair of picks on Monday, both of which took place during 7-on-7 drills. The first was a heads-up, athletic play that saw Anderson break on a tipped pass and haul it in for the pick. Then, just a bit later, Anderson was back at it with a leaping interception in traffic deep down the field. Anderson high-pointed the pass, out-jumping the other players around him to haul in an impressive pick.
It was a strong day for Anderson as the second-year defensive back makes his case to earn a roster spot.
5. It was Alumni Day at camp.
Nearly two dozen former players – from Louie Aguiar to Mitchell Schwartz – were invited to Monday's practice for the annual "Alumni Day" event, which provided the former players with an opportunity to watch practice before heading to the field and breaking down the huddle with the current squad.
"The Chiefs organization is second to none in terms of how they value their history. A lot of organizations only focus on the present, but here, the celebration of former players has always been a priority," said former Chiefs' wide receiver and current Chiefs Radio Network broadcaster Danan Hughes. "To be able to connect with the current team in such a special way is just awesome."
The event featured players spanning six decades of Chiefs' football, and while their days on the football field may be over, the organization ensured that they still felt part of the team on Monday.
The Chiefs will return to practice on Tuesday for another padded practice. For more information on training camp or for a schedule of practices, click here.
