Chiefs Training Camp Observations Day 3: Rice, Worthy, Brown settling in while rookies Brashard Smith, Jalen Royals make strides
The Kansas City Chiefs held Day 3 of training camp practices in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Thursday, July 24. The team continues to ramp up ahead of what is expected to be their first padded practice on Sunday, July 27.Once again, there weren't any new additions to the group of injured players at the onset […]
The Kansas City Chiefs held Day 3 of training camp practices in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Thursday, July 24. The team continues to ramp up ahead of what is expected to be their first padded practice on Sunday, July 27.
Once again, there weren't any new additions to the group of injured players at the onset of practice. The same three players on the Active/PUP list — Tre Watson (undisclosed), Kristian Fulton (knee), and Jawaan Taylor (knee) — remained sidelined for rehabilitation work as they work their way back from injury.
Below you'll find observations from our very own Nick Roesch based on what he saw during practice on Thursday.
Patrick Mahomes continues to spread the ball around to his top weapons
It's been a while since Mahomes has had his full arsenal of weapons. Fortunately, everybody was healthy entering training camp, and Mahomes is making the most of it. He is quickly gotten on the same page with his top pass catchers such as Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce.
All of four of them received plenty of targets and catches during Thursday's practice. Among them was this deep completion down the middle of the field to Worthy.
Brown also made an impressive reception on a crossing route in which he had to fully extend his arms to make the catch.
If those four top guys stay relatively healthy this season, the Chiefs' passing attack should return to one of the most lethal in the league.
Rookies Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith are making strides with the first-team offense
Royals and Smith have consistently received reps with the first-team offense since the first practice of camp. Part of that is the coaching staff wanting to get the rookies' feet wet, but they would not be with the first-team unless the coaches believe that they can be utilized immediately.
Smith, who was a wide receiver turned running back in college, took a lot of snaps at WR today, and caught a touchdown pass from Mahomes.
Smith also was back deep alongside Nikko Remigio as a kickoff return specialist.
As for Royals, he continued to get a healthy dose of targets and receptions, which he has during each practice thus far. It is uncanny how similar his game is to Rice's, which is really going to help open up the offense this season.
Heavy install day as we move toward padded practices
There was a heavy focus on the run game today, but it's tough to evaluate when players aren't wearing pads. It's definitely not as visually appealing as the passing attack, but getting rushing plays installed before padded practices is vital. Isiah Pacheco expectedly led the way, with Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell rotating pretty evenly behind him. Smith was also in the mix.
Harrison Butker's day, plus top kick return specialists
It was Butker's day to get some work in as he attempted several field goals and participated in kickoff drills. By my count, Butker went 6-7 on FG opportunities. I couldn't make out the exact distance, but his lone miss was from very far away.
As noted above, Smith and Remigio were the top two return specialists, but it's also worth noting that rookie cornerback Nohl Williams and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton took reps there as well.