Chiefs fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the team prepares for its third preseason matchup on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings.

After injuring his foot while moving out of the Missouri Western State University dorms in St. Joseph, running back Jamaal Charles returned to the practice field with the Chiefs on Thursday.

In a rather peculiar sight, Charles took his first practice reps in a week with secondary team units as Knile Davis continued to practice with the first team. As to why this was the case, Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton provided some insight.

"The guys that have been nicked up are trying to get their reps back on the scout team," he said after practice. "It's just a way for them to get work and not take away from guys that are definitely playing in this game."

Sutton, who has watched his defense try to stop Charles throughout training camp, predictably had only good things to say about the veteran's return to the field.

"He's one of the best [running backs] going," Sutton said. "It gives us a good look in there. [We're] glad to see him out there. Period." Another player the Chiefs were happy to see back on the field was rookie running back De'Anthony Thomas. Thomas missed practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring spasm he suffered before even coming to the facility when he woke up. 

When he got back out on the field Thursday, he appeared ready to go.

"He practiced today [and] looked good," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said of Thomas' efforts. "[He] ran around well. That was obviously what we wanted to see."

Seeing players return is a welcomed sight for Chiefs coaches, who will also be looking for an improvement on penalties versus the Vikings. Against the Panthers, the Chiefs were penalized 13 times, something Sutton said needs to improve this Saturday.

"We've told the players: 'We've got to adjust as this is going to continue.' That just means you're going to have to be very diligent with your technique," he said. "Any time you're in a game, whether they're calling holding, whatever it is, you have to understand the officials you're dealing with and you got to adjust.

"You can complain all you'd like but they have the flag and if they're going to call them that way, you have to adjust in the game."

Sticking with the plan of a true mock regular season week, the Chiefs treated Thursday as a Friday, which meant the players practiced in shorts.

As they look ahead to the last dress rehearsal Saturday at Arrowhead, seeing players return from injury along with an improvement on penalties will mean good things as the regular season draws closer and closer.

Practice Bits

• Dave Toub said that Knile Davis will start as KR on Saturday
• Did not practice: S Eric Berry, WR Dwayne Bowe, DL Mike Catapano, WR Junior Hemingway, LB Joe Mays, T Ryan McKee, CB Damond Smith and RB Charcandrick West