Chiefs may have figured out the best way to deploy Kadarius Toney two seasons after trading for him

Kansas City Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney was the subject of an intriguing development as training camp officially began on Sunday .

During the earliest portion of practice, when players were warming up with individual work and position drills, Toney was spotted working with the running backs. ESPN's Adam Teicher posted a picture of Toney lining up and working with the running backs during this period.

FOX 4 Kansas City reporter PJ Green caught a look at Toney in action, catching a speed option pitch from Patrick Mahomes out of the backfield.

Keep in mind that Toney has been used out of the backfield before in Kansas City. He has 16 carries for 90 yards, including one rushing touchdown and two first downs over the past two seasons. He averages 5.6 yards per carry and has a long run of 32 yards.

Toney's role with the Chiefs in 2024 could be a three-pronged approach

Toney eventually rejoined the receivers and resumed his normal work after taking several repetitions with the running back group during this period. They're clearly experimenting with some sort of hybridized role where they can use his elusiveness and quickness out of the backfield. It's not too dissimilar from how the San Francisco 49ers have deployed Deebo Samuel in the past.

During team drills later in practice, Toney worked with both the first-team offense and Patrick Mahomes and the third-team offense with Chris Oladokun. The third-year Chief also worked during special teams periods of practice as a return specialist, taking the second opportunity in the return line behind WR Nikko Remigio.

You'll recall that Toney missed the majority of training camp last offseason after suffering a knee injury during a special teams drill on the first day of training camp practices. Andy Reid spoke about Toney's day at practice on Sunday after things wrapped up.

“He worked today," Reid said of Toney. "(He) did a good job when he was in there, and we’ll see. Just like the other guys, he’s in there competing, and we’ll see how he does.”

That's not exactly a glowing endorsement, but it's not exactly damning either. Really, it's indicative of the situation the team finds itself in with Toney. Can they find ways to use him this season where he can be an asset to the team on the field?

Will that role be a hybrid Deebo Samuel-esque receiver/running back role? Will that role include kick and punt returns on special teams? Could his role include all of the above? We'll find out as he continues to compete through the course of training camp.

Related: Classic Patrick Mahomes unleashed at Chiefs training camp with 50-yard bomb to rookie WR Xavier Worthy