If there's one positive from the fact that three Pro Bowlers from the Kansas City Chiefs defense haven't yet participated in practice—it's that it's providing valuable reps for a core of talented young players who might not otherwise have this many opportunities to develop.
Veterans Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Eric Berry have yet to step on the field for the Chiefs this preseason, and when you throw in veteran inside linebacker Josh Mauga, who has missed considerable practice time over the past couple of weeks with a groin injury, this sets the stage for the young players to get an opportunity to show what they can do.
"That's one of the positives," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid explained after Saturday's game against the Rams. "We had a couple of rookies start in the secondary, we had, in essence, a rookie linebacker who was starting for us at that 'Mike' position."
Rookies D.J. White (cornerback) and Eric Murray (safety) both started in the defensive backfield against the Rams on Saturday night, while second-year player Justin March, who missed all of last season because of a knee injury suffered in the first preseason game, started next to Derrick Johnson at the "Mike" linebacker position.
"I just think that it's valuable – valuable reps," Reid added. "We need to tighten it up, though. We need to do a better job all the way along on both sides of the ball."
Murray and White actually led the Chiefs defense in snaps played on Saturday night, with 35 and 32, respectively.
When you add in rookie defensive lineman Chris Jones, who didn't technically start but saw plenty of action with the first-team defense with 17 snaps played, there were essentially four rookies on the field for the Chiefs defense early in this game.
Photos from the Chiefs second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams
A field view of Kansas City Chiefs preseason game against Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) is chased down by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Coty Sensabaugh (21) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is brought down by Los Angeles Rams safety T.J. McDonald (25) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) changes the play at the line of scrimmage during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) is dragged down by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (22) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) scores a touchdown in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) celebrates a touchdown in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) is congratulated by tight end Travis Kelce (87) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Cairo Santos (5) points to the sky after kicking a field goal in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs fans watch the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitchell Schwartz (71) blocks during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Pharoh Cooper (10) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running backs coach Eric Bieniemy shows a play diagram during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Benjamin Cunningham (23) is dragged down by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Murray (21) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) carries the ball in the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) makes a catch for a touchdown during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs fans during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Andy Mulumba (40) during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) finds running room during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands the ball off to running back Spencer Ware (32) during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs huddle during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Fisher (72) blocks Los Angeles Rams defensive end Matt Longacre (96) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is brought down by Kansas City Chiefs defensive linemen Jaye Howard (96) and Allen Bailey (97) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Murray (21) and linebacker Dee Ford (55) during the first half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) drops back to pass during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) makes a cut during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Mitch Morse (61) makes adjustments at the line during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) carries the ball during the first half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs fans hold up signs during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) at the line of scrimmage during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
A detail shot of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson (20) defends Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is sandwiched between Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones (95) and linebacker Ramik Wilson (53) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebackers Dadi Nicolas (52) and Ramik Wilson (53) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back D.J. White (24) defends Los Angeles Rams cornerback Troy Hill (32) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Daniel Sorensen (49) brings down Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Malcolm Brown (39) is brought down by three Kansas City Chiefs defenders during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) smiles on the sideline during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) carries the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) avoids Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jordan Lomax (37) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Nick Foles (4) escapes the pressure of Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Daniel Munyer (64) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) runs a route during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (84) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Terrence Magee (37) is dragged down by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Terrance Smith (62) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Dadi Nicolas (52) gets around Los Angeles Rams guard Garrett Reynolds (71) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end James O'Shaughnessy (80) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on the sideline during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) catches a ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas (13) stiff arms Los Angeles Rams linebacker Brandon Chubb (53) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) runs with the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Mike Jordan (35) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (81) carries the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (14) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jimmy Staten (94) during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Terrence Magee (37) is wrapped up by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tyrell Adams (44) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Terrence Magee (37) is dragged down by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Tyrell Adams (44) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Da'Ron Brown (1) runs past Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jabriel Washington (41) during the second half of the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrin Reaves (24) carries the ball during the second half of the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) and Los Angeles Rams defensive back Marcus Roberson (47) meet on the field after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back KeiVarae Russell (26) and Los Angeles Rams defensive back Jordan Lomax (37) exchange jerseys after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) pose for a picture after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Darreon Herring (49) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Reid Fragel (69) pose for a picture after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jaye Howard (96) and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Dominique Easley (91) exchange jerseys after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin March (59) exchanges jerseys with Los Angeles Rams guard Jamon Brown (68) after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Jimmy Staten (94) and Los Angeles Rams running back Benjamin Cunningham (23) exchange jerseys after the preseason game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 20, 2016.
When he spoke with reporters on Sunday afternoon, Reid reiterated the fact of how important this time is for these rookies and young players, who might be counted upon down the road if there name is called once the regular season begins.
"Every play becomes so valuable," Reid explained. "I saw some flashes of good things there that will help us. We're still minus a few players over there that would normally play.
"I think it's important that we get those guys back in and get rolling."
