Chris Jones absent from Chiefs practice as sides remain apart on new deal
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones' holdout is officially hitting the point where it's likely to impact Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. Jones was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list during 53-man roster cuts. He does not currently count against the 53-man roster as a result, and it could be a long while […]
Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones' holdout is officially hitting the point where it's likely to impact Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season.
Jones was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list during 53-man roster cuts. He does not currently count against the 53-man roster as a result, and it could be a long while before he's back with the team.
According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, Jones isn't present for practice on Sunday, which is technically a Wednesday practice if this were a normal practice week for Kansas City. The Chiefs will have Monday off for the Labor Day holiday and resume their practice week on Tuesday ahead of Week 1's tilt with the Detroit Lions on Thursday night.
Rapoport adds that the two sides are not currently close on a deal.
Brett Veach struck an optimistic tone when speaking on the matter last week after communications had ramped up in recent days. Andy Reid has attempted to keep everyone focused on the task at hand with the Lions game coming up in a short period of time.
"My standpoint is we’ve got a heck of a Lions team coming in here and with the guys we’ve got we’re going to get those guys ready to play against the Lions and I know they’ll be fired up to play," Reid said. "Other than that, I take the distractions and throw them out the door and let’s get on with what’s real and that means the guys that are here, you know, the Lions are going to show up with a good football team."
For Jones to play in Week 1 against the Lions, he'll likely have to be present for Wednesday's practice at a minimum. Reid typically doesn't allow players to suit up and play without a limited practice under their belt.
As for the financial implications of this mess, according to Tom Pelissero, Jones has amassed $2 million in fines during his training camp holdout, and an additional $500K workout bonus. Should he miss Week 1, he would forfeit $1.08 million, and that same amount with each consecutive week missed during the regular season.
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Featured image via Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
