The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for the fifth practice of training camp on Sunday morning as the three-time defending AFC champions continued their preparation for the upcoming season.
Here's a quick rundown of what took place during Sunday's practice, and for reference, all previous practice reports are below:
1. The Chiefs took the practice field in pads for the first time since last season ended.
The players exited the locker room and hit the field in full pads on Sunday morning for the first time since Super Bowl LIX concluded. NFL rules prohibit padded practices during the offseason training program, so while the team has been working for months in preparation for the upcoming campaign, those practices – from voluntary Organized Team Activities in May through the first week of training camp – took place in shorts.
That all changed on Sunday, however, as the guys competed in a one hour and 40-minute practice while wearing pads. It's all part of the "ramp up" period of training camp, which aims to gradually ease the players into full-fledged football activities over the first few weeks in St. Joseph.
The Chiefs hit a major benchmark in that process on Sunday, but as most players would likely admit, the only thing tougher than the first day in pads is the next day. The team will compete in another padded practice on Monday, and it's those sorts of days where certain players start to elevate up the depth chart.
"I like that second half of the practice. [You] see how they push. How do they retain and push through that wall? You start talking to yourself at the end there," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "You find out who's willing to keep it going."
2. The Chiefs worked through a "long drive drill" period on Sunday.
Any assumption that Sunday's practice, with it being in pads, would take things relatively easy was quickly thrown out the window when the players competed in the well-known "long drive drill" toward the end of the session.
The period, which seeks to simulate the real-world experience of playing in a game, is exactly how it sounds: the players run a series of plays one after the other in quick succession while moving down the field. Just like in a real game, the time in-between snaps is limited and substitutions only occur if the play design dictates it.
It's maybe the toughest drill the Chiefs take part in during training camp, especially on a blisteringly hot day, but – as numerous players have revealed over the years – it's also perhaps the most beneficial.
"You just have to gut it out. There's no looking for subs or ways out. You have to realize that this is the time to dig deep and the time to grow," said defensive end Mike Danna. "Coach emphasizes growing in uncomfortable situations, and that's what the long drive drill is. It's uncomfortable, you're exhausted, and you want to see who's going to dig deep and keep going."
The Chiefs' first-team offense ran nine straight plays as part of the first "long drive drill" of camp on Sunday. The highlight of the period was a laser of a touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Hollywood Brown in the red zone.
3. Sunday's practice also included a 9-on-7 period that emphasized the running game.
In addition to the "long drive drill," the Chiefs also competed in a 9-on-7 portion of practice that focused on the running game. A classic football drill, a 9-on-7 period features seven defenders competing against nine offensive players in what is essentially football without the wide receivers and cornerbacks.
The drill is all about the running game, specifically in-between the tackles. Meanwhile, at the same time, the cornerbacks and wide receivers competed on the adjacent field in one-on-one drills. The safeties and tight ends, who obviously possess roles in both areas, rotated between both drills on either field.
It's no surprise that the Chiefs added a 9-on-7 segment to Sunday's practice, either. Due to league rules prohibiting padded practices during the offseason training program, the majority of the Chiefs' preparation up until Sunday – at least in terms of live action – had focused on the passing game.
There's only so much the team can do in terms of running the football without pads on, but now in the padded portion of camp, the run game was clearly an area of emphasis on Sunday.
4. Veteran tight end Robert Tonyan continued his strong camp with another impressive day.
A standout from Sunday's practice was veteran tight end Robert Tonyan, who hauled in a one-handed reception over his shoulder deep down the field during a 7-on-7 period. It was likely the play of the day and represented another strong practice for Tonyan, who appears to be off to a great start in St. Joseph.
A seven-year veteran, Tonyan was very productive with the Green Bay Packers between the 2020 and 2022 seasons. Notably, he tallied 52 grabs for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2020 campaign. He later followed that up with a 53-catch, 470-yard season in 2022.
Still just 31 years old, Tonyan is certainly putting his best foot forward as he tries to earn a spot in the Chiefs' tight end room.
"He's doing a nice job. He's a veteran, and he's been consistent," Reid said of Tonyan. "He's a good receiving tight end."
On the other side of the ball, another player who stood out on Sunday was safety Deon Bush, who hauled in an interception off a deflection during 11-on-11 drills. Rookie linebacker Cooper McDonald made a noteworthy play as well when he logged a pass-breakup in coverage over the middle of the field during a 7-on-7 segment.
5. Here's a look at Sunday's injury report.
There was some good news injury-wise on Sunday as offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) and rookie tight end Tre Watson, who each began camp on the "Physically Unable to Perform," or "PUP" list, both took the field and participated. Taylor, the Chiefs' starting right tackle in each of the last two years, was on the field for several team drills.
Cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee) remains on the PUP list, however, and did not participate in Sunday's practice. Coach Reid revealed that Fulton had "clean up" knee surgery during the offseason and is still recovering from the procedure.
The only new addition to the injury report on Sunday was rookie tight end Jake Briningstool, who didn't practice due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott briefly exited practice (ankle) but returned.
Next up, the Chiefs will take the field on Monday for the sixth practice of training camp. For a look at the training camp schedule or for more information on how to reserve tickets, click here.
