The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for the eighth practice of training camp on Monday morning as the defending Super Bowl champions continued their preparation for the upcoming season.
Here's a quick rundown of what took place during Monday's practice, and for reference, all previous practice reports can be accessed below.
1. Monday's practice was of the "10-10-10" variety.
The Chiefs engaged in a lighter, "10-10-10" style practice on Monday, which focused more on the cerebral part of the game following the three-straight padded practices that took place over the weekend.
These sorts of practices – which are not padded – essentially seek to demonstrate what success looks like in all three phases. They feature three 11-on-11 segments of 10 plays each, constituting a circuit of 30 plays that is repeated two or three times. The first segment, which is designed for the offense, pits the Chiefs' starting offense against the reserve players on defense, who basically act as a scout team. Next, the starting defense logs 10 plays against the reserve players on offense. The circuit then wraps with 10 special teams' plays focused on a specific area.
In simple terms, unlike a typical 11-on-11 segment, each portion of a "10-10-10" practice is largely designed with one side of the ball in mind while the other side provides a scout team look. In each case, the idea is that the starters can experience what success looks like in a given situation while still taking a relative break physically.
"I think Coach Reid has a really good pulse on when to pull off, when to push and when to make it heavy," said Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. "We just had three days in a row with the pads on, so doing this here gives us a chance to do a little bit more of the mental [stuff]. [The players can] get the bodies back, and we get tomorrow off. [Then], I'm sure in Coach Reid's mind, we'll get after it a little bit once we get back."
2. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes worked on the deep ball among other things on Monday.
As referenced above, Monday's practice was unique in that each side of the ball was provided with specific situations in which they were designed to win. That being said, however, the players still had to take care of business, and the starting offense certainly did so.
In fact, the first "offensive" segment of practice – which appeared to be focused on the deep passing game – featured long passes by Patrick Mahomes into the arms of wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Richie James and Justyn Ross.
The second "offensive" segment was centered around the running game, but the third period once again provided Mahomes with a chance to show off his arm. The reigning NFL and Super Bowl MVP connected on a variety of throws during the period, finding both Skyy Moore and rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice for deep completions.
3. The defense worked on their proficiency in the red zone.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo chose to emphasize the red zone on Monday, devoting the practice's final 10 "defensive" plays to protecting the end zone from the 5-yard line. One highlight from the segment occurred on the very first snap, when defensive lineman Charles Omenihu batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage.
The defense also devoted a segment of practice to third down, which included an athletic pass-deflection by cornerback Joshua Williams. Safety Justin Reid later ended that particular segment with an interception at midfield.
Outside of the offensive and defensive periods, the Chiefs special teams' unit focused on punt coverage, punt protection and rushing the punter during Monday's practice.
4. It was Alumni Day at training camp.
Twenty-two former players attended Monday's practice as part of "Alumni Day" at camp, which annually seeks to invite former Chiefs from every generation of the franchise's existence to witness a practice together.
The alumni watched practice from a tailgate suite overlooking the action before heading onto the field toward the end of the session and breaking down the post-practice huddle alongside the current players.
"This organization has always been like a family to me," said Chiefs Ring of Honor defensive back Deron Cherry. "That's the way [Chiefs Founder] Lamar [Hunt] was. He always respected the players and wanted to make sure that there was a continuation with the legacy of the former players who were here and paved the way. I remember when I first came here, it was Otis Taylor, Buck Buchanan and Willie Lanier…The Hunt family has kept that tradition alive. We're still a family, and the older players – the guys who used to be here – are part of that. It's really special."
Kansas City Chiefs legends at Training Camp practice in St. Joseph, MO.
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Jerry Cornelison at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni John Lohmeyer at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Eric Hicks at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Tim Barnett at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Louie Aguilar at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Chris Penn at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Jerry Cornelison at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Kendall Gammon at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Ted McKnight at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Keith Cash and Chris Penn at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Ed Budde at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Chris Penn at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Gary Stills at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Stephone Paige at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Ken Kremer at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Deron Cherry at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Tony Adams at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Ted McKnight at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Trent Bryant at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Jerry Cornelison at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Dave Lindstrom at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Jack Rudnay at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Deron Cherry and Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Deron Cherry and Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Stephone Paige with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15)at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Keith Cash with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Tim Barnett with running back Isiah Pacheco (10)at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Deron Cherry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15)at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Stephone Paige with wide receiver Nikko Remigio (27)at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Jack Rudnay with Creed Humphrey (52) and Austin Reiter (61) at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni John Lohmeyer with defensive end Truman Jones (57) at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Gary Stills with Kansas City Chiefs Equipment Manager Allen Wright at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Louie Aguilar with Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Tony Adams with Special Teams Coach Andy Hill at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Stephone Paige at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Alumni Deron Cherry with tight end Travis Kelce (87)at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp in St Joseph, MO on Monday July 31, 2023
5. Here's a look at Monday's injury report.
The players who did not participate in Monday's practice due to injury were defensive end Mike Danna (calf), tight end Jody Fortson (shoulder) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (knee).
Defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, who remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to a knee injury, missed Monday's practice for personal reasons.
Tailback Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who missed the last two days due to an illness, returned to practice on Monday.
The Chiefs will now have an off day on Tuesday before returning for the ninth practice of training camp on Wednesday morning. For a look at the training camp schedule or for more information on how to reserve tickets, click here.
