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Chiefs training camp observations Day 13: Cornerbacks finally getting over on speedy receiver corps

By Charles Goldman,

5 hours ago

The Kansas City Chiefs were back in pads at Missouri Western State University on Monday.

This was one of the hottest days since we've been out to training camp with 96-degree highs and the heat index pushing things over 100 degrees. Things were a little lethargic toward the end of practice as a result, but the team got everything done that they set out to accomplish in front of a packed crowd of Chiefs Kingdom faithful.

Here are my top observations from Day 13 in St. Joe. . .

Chiefs cornerbacks finally getting over on the speedy wide receiver corps

Much has been made about the revamped wide receivers corps during Chiefs training camp, but the cornerbacks won the day at practice on Monday. There weren't quite as many successes in the deep passing game and there were notably many more plays on the ball.

Jaylen Watson nearly got an interception against Phillip Brooks during 1-on-1 drills as practice first got underway. This came with him still wearing the yellow non-contact jersey by the way. Watson later actually got an interception off of Patrick Mahomes during team drills, which was very nearly returned for a score.

Joshua Williams also had several nice breakups during 1-on-1 drills during practice on Monday, including this contested pass to speedy WR Montrell Washington:

Second-year CB Ekow Boye-Doe had a pick-six during long drive drills against Carson Wentz, stepping in front of a late pass that targeted WR Justyn Ross. Wentz should have thrown the ball away.

Nazeeh Johnson had two notable passes defended during team drills and seems to be getting comfortable again after his hamstring injury.

Trent McDuffie matched up against Skyy Moore several times during 1-on-1 and team drills during practice on Monday. Moore was held without a reception when going against McDuffie.

The latest on the injury situation

Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney (ankle) returned to practice on Monday, but he didn't do a whole lot of work outside of individual drills. He eventually left practice early, not through any reinjury, but they simply didn't have anything else for him to do without him participating in special teams periods, 7-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills.

Justin Watson (foot), however, had his second consecutive practice session on Monday. He participated in full and didn't appear to be too limited by the foot injury.

Each Justin Reid, Derrick Nnadi, Charles Omenihu, and BJ Thompson remained out of practice with their respective injuries and ailments that have kept them on the NFI/PUP lists.

Joe Thuney is participating in individual work and warmups, but he remains out of team drills. Andy Reid provided an update after practice:

"Well, we're working with the doctors, so (repetitions will) keep increasing as we go," Reid said. "I can't tell you exactly when and where we'll be live and all of that, but we'll just see how it goes as we progress."

Chris Jones left briefly during practice due to what Andy Reid described as a shoulder/stinger injury. Reid didn't seem all too concerned about the injury to Jones.

WR Jaaron Hayek missed practice with a shoulder injury. LB Nick Bolton remains out of practice with an elbow injury. Kelvin Joseph also sat with a slight hamstring strain.

A brief scuffle during practice

Andy Reid doesn't do fighting during training camp practice, but one briefly ensued on Monday. After several receptions during the long drive period in the heat of the day at training camp, Chiefs WR Rashee Rice caught a pass from Patrick Mahomes and was hit near the right sideline in front of both the offense and defense.

Rice turned to LB Jack Cochrane and threw the ball directly at his helmet, which is when some pushing and shoving started to ensue.

Drue Tranquill got caught in the crossfire and had his helmet ripped off. Patrick Mahomes actually pulled Tranquill away from the scuffle. It all ended with what has become a near-ceremonial occurrence during training camp for Kansas City. . . Rashee Rice hunched over and puked on the sideline. Rice didn't return to work after getting sick.

It didn't last all of 30 seconds and was broken up quickly, but the heat out in St. Joseph, Missouri seemed to get the best of the players in that moment.

Up and down day for Chiefs' backup tight ends

It took a while for the backup tight ends to really come along.

Early in team drills Baylor Cupp got wide open on a slick play during team period and was hit in stride, but he dropped the pass as it hit him in the hands. Irv Smith Jr. also had a few drops on the day before making a handful of catches late in practice.

Noah Gray put together perhaps his best day of training camp so far with several receptions and long gains throughout the practice session. His veteran prowess has been on display over the past two sessions.

I also counted two receptions for new Chiefs TE Geor'Quarius Spivey. He's proven to be a tough cover for the third-team defense.

Quick hitters

Matt Araiza did some work punting from the back of the end zone and managed punts of 53, 57, 58, and 61 yards during my look-in.
Rookie WR Xavier Worthy was used on punt returns, along with Nikko Remigio and Mecole Hardman today.
Neil Farrell Jr. has seemingly taken command over the second-team defensive line. He was barking out orders and getting the line set ahead of each snap I saw. I don't know how much need there is for another run-stuffer if Derrick Nnadi comes off the PUP eventually, but Farrell has certainly taken a step forward.
For the first time since I've been at practice, RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire got some repetitions with Patrick Mahomes and the first-team offense during 11-on-11 work.
Keith Taylor continues to get some opportunities with the first-team defense and was in on a play today with such good coverage that Patrick Mahomes had to take off and scramble. He would've likely taken a coverage sack before the scramble. During 1-on-1's Taylor got absolutely cooked by rookie WR Xavier Worthy.
Andy Reid might say that Carson Steele isn't exactly a fullback , but he sure looks good in that role. He got a ton of movement against the sled during practice today, more than any other player in the RB room.
The defensive line was a little jumpy a few times today. I caught them twice jumping offsides during 11-on-11 long drive drills.
Mike Caliendo continued to work at left guard on Monday. He had a decent practice, outside of a bad rep against Tershawn Wharton in 1-on-1 drills.
Working with the third-team offense isn't doing Louis Rees-Zammit any favors. He made a nice cut to the outside after his running lane was clogged, but Tyree Gillespie wrapped him up behind the line of scrimmage after a tight end missed a block.