The Kansas City Chiefs took the field for the seventh practice of training camp on Tuesday 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 Tuesday's practice, and for reference, all previous practice reports are below:
1. We livestreamed a portion of Tuesday's practice.
We hosted our second livestream of camp so far on Tuesday, which included a live look at practice and a discussion about the Chiefs' wide receiver and defensive back groups.
We're currently scheduled to host two additional livestreams (8/2 and 8/5) over the next several days.
2. Tuesday was easily the toughest practice of camp so far.
The players took the field for a third padded practice in a row on Tuesday amidst intense heat and humidity. If those conditions didn't make it tough enough, it was also the longest practice of camp thus far at two hours and 25 minutes.
The session included a 9-on-7 period focused on the running game, 1-on-1 pass-protection drills and a long drive drill period (among other segments) that truly tested every member of the roster.
These are the true "dog days" of camp, but as Head Coach Andy Reid has demonstrated over the years, his methods work.
"It's hard work. You're out here in the heat, and it's tough," Reid said. "The guys battled through. I appreciate the tempo that they set and all of the energy they gave."
3. The running backs, tight ends, linebackers and safeties competed in one of the great back-and-forth periods of camp.
The running backs, tight ends, linebackers and safeties were tested in a variety of ways during Tuesday's practice as part of two separate – but innately related – drills.
First, the running backs and tight ends took turns in pass-protection against a charging linebacker or safety. This drill inherently means the defensive player has an advantage due to their running start, providing the offensive player with a real challenge as they tried to hold their own as a blocker.
Next, the advantage reversed as the defensive player was tasked with covering the offensive player on a passing play.
It's a fun drill that challenges all four position groups in a variety of ways, and in both aspects, tight end Noah Gray and running back Elijah Mitchell emerged as clear standouts.
4. Players on both sides of the ball stood out during an 11-on-11 red zone period.
Rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals, who has put together an impressive camp so far, made a great catch over his shoulder in the corner of the end zone during 11-on-11 red zone drills on Tuesday. Then, only a few snaps later, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster tallied an outstanding, physical catch in the back of the end zone. Wide receiver Skyy Moore also made a great grab in the corner of the end zone as the period wound down.
Defensively, cornerback Trent McDuffie hauled in an interception in the end zone during the 11-on-11 period. Cornerback Nazeeh Johnson logged an impressive pass-breakup in the end zone, too.
5. Here's a look at Tuesday's injury report.
It was a lengthy injury report on Tuesday as cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee), cornerback Darius Rush (hamstring), cornerback Eric Scott (hamstring), safety Deon Bush (hamstring), linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (ankle) and tight end Jake Briningstool (hamstring) did not take the field.
Additionally, wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (banged his head), linebacker Cooper McDonald (sick) and wide receiver Skyy Moore (hamstring) left early.
The good news is that most (if not all) of these injuries don't appear to be long-term concerns.
Next up, the Chiefs will take the field on Wednesday for the eighth practice of training camp. For a look at the training camp schedule or for more information on how to reserve tickets, click here.
