Chiefs training camp notebook Day 1: A rookie WR is gaining trust - Arrowhead Pride

The Kansas City Chiefs held the first full-team practice of training camp on Wednesday. The Arrowhead Pride staff had boots on the ground to observe the shortened, acclimation-period practice as the team ramps up to full pads over the first three on-field sessions. Here’s what to know from Wednesday’s practice in St. Joe: Attendance report Jared Sapp wrote about the mid-practice departures of wide receiver Rashee Rice and veteran cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Both had planned departures for rehabilitation, Reid confirmed. He also confirmed that defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is starting camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, meaning he can still be activated onto the roster this preseason. He worked off to the side at camp on Wednesday. Rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane wore the yellow, non-contact jersey he has donned for most of the Chiefs’ offseason practices since injuring his shoulder during OTAs. He participated in seven-on-seven and full-team periods as a starting outside cornerback throughout the day. Defensive lineup notes As the Chiefs’ starting defense walked through plays to begin practice, it was notable to me that Sneed, returning after two years with the Tennessee Titans, was playing exclusively on the outside. It appeared that the starting Nickel position, the defense’s primary slot defender, was mostly manned by defensive backs Christian Roland-Wallace and rookie Jadon Canady. At linebacker, it’s clear that second-year player Cooper McDonald is starting camp as the third linebacker in the defense’s base 4-3 formations. However, the Chiefs’ defense — during walkthroughs and team periods — showcased a five-man front that allows defensive lineman Chris Jones, Khyiris Tonga, George Karlaftis, Ashton Gillotte and rookie R Mason Thomas to share the field. In a limited look, it appeared Gillotte was playing the role of an on-ball linebacker, an overhang SAM-linebacker in a 4-3 Under front, while Thomas stayed with his hand in the dirt. With Delane in a non-contact jersey and Sneed leaving mid-practice, the two split starting snaps while it appeared Nohl Williams took the majority of the lead snaps at outside cornerback. Kristian Fulton ran more with the second-team unit. Offensive notes After coach Reid spoke of a potential right tackle “competition” during OTAs, there was no sharing snaps in the starting lineup for right tackle Jaylon Moore. It appeared that offensive tackles Esa Pole and rookie Kahlil Benson stayed in the second-team spots. Reid says Cyrus Allen has some ‘trust’ from Mahomes With Rice departing practice early, it was rookie wide receiver Cyrus Allen who made the most of a hole in Mahomes’ starting receiving corps on Day 1. On air, Allen got work with the starting offense in the red zone, then kept that momentum to be a constant option for Mahomes in seven-on-seven and full-team periods. “Cyrus had a good day today,” Reid told reporters after practice. “I think Pat’s got some trust there. We’ve got a long way to go… keep growing.” “He’s got talent, obviously,” Reid elaborated. “He’s been able to retain, plus he got a lead-up here for three days before he got out there today. The stuff he has been doing, he was doing the last couple of days.” Jalen Royals’ rough start The flip side of Allen’s impressive practice was the glaringly bad day for the chemistry between Mahomes and second-year wide receiver Jalen Royals. He rotated in regularly with Allen, Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton and the rest of the starting wideouts. On one play in team period, Mahomes looked to unload a deep pass to Royals after recognizing an all-out blitz from the defense. He quickly released the pass, but it fell to the ground with no one near it; Royals ran a shorter route, likely missing a route adjustment based on the pressure. Later in the team period, Royals ran a quick-hitting route from the slot, but a pass slightly behind him failed to be secured. Safety Chamarri Conner was physical enough to pry the ball loose; it’s unclear if it would have been ruled an incomplete pass or a catch-then-fumble. On another long-developing pass play, Mahomes went through his progression and eventually found Royals running an intermediate crossing pattern. The pass to Royals was off-target but catchable, yet fell to the turf again. “He’s got a good feel for the game,” Reid said about Royals post-practice. “He’s just got to keep on with the reps and make sure he has a good relationship there with Pat and keeps developing that.” More notes Kicker Harrison Butker’s first kick in team period was a 60-yard attempt that he nailed. He would go on to hit most of his field goals, plenty of them in long range, but he did push one attempt of more than 50 yards to the right, hitting the post for his only miss of the day; he kicked roughly six or seven with the full team lined up. The initial rotation of punt returners included the following four players: Nikko Remigio, Brashard Smith, Cyrus Allen and Jacob De Jesus. Of the foursome, Allen looked the shakiest tracking, catching and running forward smoothly with the ball. Tight end Travis Kelce looked as energized as ever out on the field, running around with enthusiasm and being a reliable target for Mahomes. Tight end Jared Wiley made a big-play catch down the seam that was a highlight for the starting offense, but a needle-threading throw to Kelce between linebackers Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill drew the biggest ovation of the day. Running back Kenneth Walker was getting plenty of work as a pass catcher on air and in seven-on-seven periods, especially in the red zone. One play, on air, featured Walker releasing from the backfield and running to the back corner of the end zone. Mahomes lobbed a pass that Walker had to sky for, tip to himself and secure.