The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for the third practice of training camp on Tuesday morning as the back-to-back defending Super Bowl champions continued their preparation for the upcoming season.
Here's a quick rundown of what took place during Tuesday's practice, and for reference, all previous practice reports are available below:
1. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes made another ridiculous throw.
In what has become a standard occurrence at training camp over the last eight years, Mahomes once again made the seemingly impossible seem routine during Tuesday's practice.
The play in question, which took place during an 11-on-11 segment, featured Mahomes scrambling to his left before firing a sidearm, fade away pass across his body into the outstretched hands of wide receiver Justin Watson.
It was a ridiculous throw that demonstrated Mahomes' unique combination of agility, arm strength, accuracy and – above all – creativity. Watson deserves credit, too, for finishing the play with an impressive catch.
2. The deep ball was working early and often on Tuesday.
The return of the Chiefs' deep passing game was an area of emphasis throughout the offseason training program, and right on cue, it was working well during Tuesday's practice.
Three instances stood out in particular, beginning with a beautiful pitch-and-catch between Mahomes and wide receiver Rashee Rice during 11-on-11 drills. Mahomes found Rice in-stride deep down the sideline despite good coverage, completing one of the practice's top plays.
Mahomes was then at it again a bit later during a 7-on-7 segment when he connected with wide receiver Hollywood Brown for a big gain down the middle of the field. Brown's ball-tracking ability, which was apparent during offseason practices, was on full display as the veteran wide receiver hauled in the pass despite the presence of two defenders nearby.
Lastly, quarterback Carson Wentz also joined the party with an excellent throw to wide receiver Mecole Hardman deep down the field during 11-on-11 drills. The pass, which looked effortless but covered 40 or so yards, was reminiscent of Mahomes' deep completion to Hardman in Super Bowl LVIII.
3. Linebacker Drue Tranquill made a tremendous pass-breakup in the end zone.
Tranquill was responsible for perhaps the defensive play of the day when he made a leaping, full-extension pass-breakup in the end zone during a red zone 7-on-7 period. Tranquill's out-stretched fingertips deflected the ball and thwarted a would-be touchdown.
Another noteworthy defensive play was courtesy of safety Deon Bush, who jumped a route during 11-on-11 drills and nearly recorded an interception. Bush didn't come away with the football, but regardless, he broke up the pass.
4. Fans had their first chance to see the new kickoff rules in action.
The Chiefs dedicated a segment of Tuesday's practice to kickoff returns as Kansas City aims to master the new kickoff format in 2024. The updated rules, which are similar to that of the XFL, are as follows:
What's the "Landing Zone?"
The "landing zone" is the area between the receiving team's goal line and its 20-yard line.
Here's how kickoffs will work in relation to the landing zone:
- Kick falls in the landing zone: Ball must be returned. No fair catch is allowed.
- Kick goes out the back of the end zone: Ball is spotted at the 30-yard line.
- Kick hits the landing zone and bounces into the end zone: Ball must be returned or downed by the receiving team. If downed, the ball is spotted at the 20-yard line.
- Kick falls short of the landing zone: Ball is spotted at the 40-yard line.
Where Do The Players Line Up?
All kicking team players (other than the kicker) will line up with one foot on the receiving team's 40-yard line. Those 10 players cannot move until the ball hits the ground, a player in the landing zone or the end zone.
The receiving team will line up as follows:
At least nine players must line up in the "setup zone" – a 5-yard area from the 35-yard line to the 30-yard line. All players in the setup zone cannot move until the kick has hit the ground, a player in the landing zone or the end zone. A maximum of two returners may line up in the landing zone and can move at any time prior to, or during, the kick.
One key difference between the NFL's new rule and the format utilized by the XFL is that the coverage teams can move as soon as the ball hits the ground. This differs from the XFL's rule, which only permits movement once the ball has been fielded by a returner.
For more on the specifics of the new kickoff rules, click here.
As far as Tuesday's practice went, a clear area of emphasis was the synergy between the two return men on any given kickoff. The return man who doesn't field the ball immediately turns into a blocker, and there was a clear strategy being deployed by Special Teams Coordinator / Assistant Head Coach Dave Toub in that regard throughout the practice.
The players who took the field as returners on Tuesday (in no particular order) included wide receiver Nikko Remigio, running back Louis Rees-Zammit, wide receiver Mecole Hardman, wide receiver Montrell Washington, running back Emani Bailey, running back Deneric Prince, wide receiver Skyy Moore, wide receiver Justyn Ross and wide receiver Phillip Brooks.
5. Here's a look at Tuesday's injury report.
Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy (illness) missed his second-straight practice on Tuesday.
Additionally, safety Justin Reid (quad) and defensive end BJ Thompson (who suffered a medical emergency last month) remained on the "Non-Football Injury/Illness" list.
Cornerback Jaylen Watson, defensive end Charles Omenihu, defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and offensive guard Joe Thuney are still on the "Physically Unable to Perform," or "PUP," list and also didn't take the field.
Next up, the Chiefs will take the field on Wednesday for the fourth practice of training camp. The session will be open to the general public, but even though most days are free to attend, tickets must be reserved online ahead of time.
For a look at the training camp schedule or for more information on how to reserve tickets, click here.
