Chiefs' Andy Reid provides lengthy injury update as rookies, quarterbacks report to training camp

Kansas City Chiefs HC Andy Reid kicked off his first training camp press conference of the year with an update on injured players. These players were all allowed to report early on Tuesday, July 16 alongside rookies and quarterbacks to undergo medical evaluation ahead of camp.

Five players are expected to start training camp off either on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list or the Physical Unable to Perform (PUP) list according to Coach Reid.

BJ Thompson is still undergoing testing after his medical emergency in mandatory minicamp

Thompson suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a team meeting near the end of OTAs. He was ultimately able to get out of the hospital and rejoin his teammates at the team's Super Bowl LVIII ring ceremony, but that was the last update we'd heard on his condition until today.

"BJ Thompson will start off on NFI," Reid said. "He's doing great, but he's still going through some procedures as we talk here. He'll keep going with that and we'll keep you updated as we go."

The Chiefs could apply for a roster exemption for Thompson, which would allow them to free a roster space while the second-year defender is on the list. If Thompson remains on the active Non-Football Injury list by the final roster cut date ahead of the 2024 NFL season, the Chiefs can move him to the reserve Non-Football Injury. If he’s placed on the reserve Non-Football Injury, the rules are similar to the PUP list. Thompson wouldn’t be allowed to practice for six weeks and the team would eventually have to decide between activating him or placing him on IR.

Four players are expected to land on the PUP list to start training camp

Reid expects that four of the team's injured players will open up training camp on the PUP list. They can be removed from this list at any given time and some of those players might be closer to return than others.

"On the PUP list, Jaylen Watson, (Charles) Omenihu, (Derrick) Nnadi, and (Joe) Thuney will probably start on that," Reid explained. "We still have a few days before all of that goes on, but we'll just see where we're at with that. Really, those are kind of the main guys that were injured."

Watson is recovering from a torn labrum that he dealt with most of last season. Omenihu is dealing with a torn ACL suffered in the AFC title game . Joe Thuney is dealing with a postseason pectoral injury. Derrick Nnadi suffered what was described as a triceps injury in the playoffs as well.

When a player is placed on the active/PUP list, they still count toward the 90-man offseason roster. They’re permitted to participate in Chiefs’ team meetings, do solo conditioning, and work with the team training staff. However, they’re prohibited from practicing with the team so long as they remain on the PUP list. Should they remain on the PUP list through training camp, they can be placed on the reserve/PUP list during roster cuts. They won't count against the 53-man roster when they're on the reserve/PUP list.

All of these players have different timelines for recovery and the team's plans could even change as early as the end of the week according to Reid.

"I think they're all a little different," Reid said. "Listen, something might happen differently by the time we get the vets in here (Saturday) and we'll have to do it. I'm just giving you a heads-up on what we're kind of thinking there as we start. We'll see whether they get cleared or not cleared."

As for the team's starting left guard, he might be one of the first of these four players to wind up returning to practice for the team.

"Joe (Thuney) is doing great," Reid said. "He's close."

Three players are expected to return to action for the Chiefs

A trio of injured players reported to training camp who will be taking part in practice. That group includes WR Xavier Worthy, who missed the vast majority of Phase III of the offseason workout program with a hamstring injury .

"(Leo) Chenal will be up here," Reid said. "Nazeeh (Johnson) will be up here. (Xavier) Worthy will be back. He's doing well, you just saw him come in. So, he's doing well on his rehab from his hamstring."

One player who wasn't mentioned was S Bryan Cook. It's unclear if he's reported early or if he'll return to St. Joe with veteran players come Saturday. Cook missed the majority of the 2024 NFL season with an ankle injury.

Related: One thing each Chiefs rookie must accomplish in training camp to make an impact in 2024