Kansas City Chiefs Day 17 Training Camp Takeaways: Cyrus Allen, Mansoor Delane battle during last padded practice
The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their final day of padded practice at training camp in St. Joe. Before you know it, they’ll be back at 1 Arrowhead Drive for practices.
The Kansas City Chiefs held their final padded practice of training camp on Wednesday, Aug. 19. They’ll hold a padless practice at Missouri Western State University on Thursday morning for their Military Appreciation Day. After that, it’s back to 1 Arrowhead Dr. for practice.
The injury list remains large for Kansas City, with over a half dozen players not participating in practice.
- DE Ashton Gillotte (foot)
- LT Josh Simmons (back)
- RG Trey Smith (hip)
- OT Matt Waletzko (knee)
- LB Jack Cochrane (knee)
- DL Omarr Norman-Lott (knee)
- WR Jeff Weimer (hamstring)
- WR Jimmy Holiday (quad)
The good news is that WR Tyquan Thornton (hamstring) was back at practice after leaving early on Tuesday. He didn’t even have a compression sleeve on either leg, which speaks to the minor nature of the injury.
The team worked red-zone and two-point conversion during practice on Wednesday. This offense constantly needs work in that area. Ultimately, it was the perfect way to wrap up a good week of work after the preseason Week 1 loss.
What else did we learn from the team’s final padded practice of training camp?
Another injury in the wide receiver room
The Chiefs have dealt with quite a few injuries at wide receiver during the course of this camp. During team drills on Wednesday, a collision seemingly took out UDFA WR Jeeff Caldwell. Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick got a good look at it. He said that Caldwell “took a hit during the last play in team period and was in immediate pain, gingerly putting weight on left side.” Derrick later reported that Caldwell rode up the hill in the front of the cart to receive further evaluation.
Caldwell has been mostly running with the second- and third-team offense. With Holiday and Weimer still hurt, this injury could lead the team to add depth at wide receiver. They just might need another body to help the team get through preseason Week 1 and Week 2.
Rookies Cyrus Allen, Mansoor Delane sharpen each other’s skills on last day of pads
The 1-on-1 matchup of the day at Kansas City Chiefs training camp seemed to be rookie WR Cyrus Allen vs. rookie CB Mansoor Delane. Allen had a bit of an advantage on some reps, as Delane wore mitts on both of his hands. That’s a tool used with rookie DBs to prevent them from holding.
Later in 1-on-1 work, Delane got back on Allen with an in-breaking route. He was still wearing the mitts to prevent holding.
Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo and DBs coach Dave Merritt both spoke about Delane after practice on Wednesday. The big thing relayed is that while there’s still work to be done, he’s not behind at all.”
“Yeah, I mean he’s definitely a competitor,” Spagnuolo said. “You know, we saw that on tape when we evaluated him. But you know, like a lot of these young guys, Nick (Bolton) and I were just over there talking about it. Sometimes you’ve got to knock some practice habits out of him. I think Mansoor (Delane) is learning that. He’s embracing it. I think the vets are pushing him toward that. It’s unfortunate that he’s missed all the time. He’s missed, but we’ll try to get him caught up here. I don’t know what’ll happen with the game. That’ll be on Coach (Andy) Reid, but I’m anxious to get him out there and see what we got.”
“He’s not behind,” Merritt said. “I mean, because we go through all the walkthroughs. He’s been over there, so it’s the mental part that you want to make sure that you keep these guys up on. But as far as the physicalness, I mean, they all have to go through the paths and get out there and get the wind up under them. But as far as the mental, he’s right where we need him.”
Overall, it was a good day of work for both Allen and Delane, with each helping the other get 1% better.
Cam Jones immediately slots back in with second-team defense
Jones, who returned to the Chiefs on Wednesday after being cut by the Giants in July, wasted no time getting involved. He wore jersey No. 45, after previously wearing jersey No. 44 in Kansas City. He was at practice in full pads after re-signing with the team, and he immediately earned snaps with the second-team defense.
It shows just how much the team has lacked linebacker depth. Jack Cochrane is out of practice with a knee injury. Drue Tranquill is still being managed because of his back injury. That left just Nick Bolton, Jeff Bassa, Cooper McDonald, Cole Christiansen, and Kam Arnold. Some combination of those players, plus Jones, now comprises the second- and third-team defense.
Travis Kelce shows out in front of a special guest
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce had a special guest in attendance at practice, and it led to one of his better days at camp. His brother, Jason Kelce, was spotted observing practice. Jason wore a red-and-yellow Mickey Mouse T-shirt.
Travis Kelce had some strong repetitions, especially this grab in the red zone captured by podcaster Farzin Vousoughian.
Travis had some really good battles with Nohl Williams, Jaden Hicks, and other DBs in practice on Wednesday.
As practice wrapped, Jason caught up with HC Andy Reid, who drafted him with the Philadelphia Eagles back in the day.
He also spent some time chatting with Steve Spagnuolo, who spoke about him after practice.
“Listen, I think Jason’s great,” Spags said. “He and I talk a lot about the, you know, coordinator-center battle when we used to go against each other, and he’s great. He’s into it. I remember that one. He did this. I said, I remember when he got us on that one. I’m a big fan. He lives out there outside of Philadelphia, and we go back there a lot. I had a chance to play golf with him this summer, and I look forward to maybe doing that again sometime. They’re just good people, those Kelces, right? How can you not want to be around them?”
