By MATT PIKE
Heat, humidity, and six straight days in pads at Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp led to some chippiness as the Chiefs wrapped up the second week of practices in St. Joseph on the Missouri Western State University campus.
Fights broke out between defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and guard Kinglsey Suamataia, and during the infamous Andy Reid long drive drill, another between safety Alohi Gilman and running back Kenneth Walker came to some blows. Patrick Mahomes says that can come as a result of six straight days in pads combined with such a competitive camp
"I think that's what's been great about this camp. It's super competitive on both sides and so a little scuffle here and there, but nothing crazy and as long as we keep it like that and keep competing, we get the best football team you can get," Mahomes told reporters after practice.
The long drive drill and special teams drills capped off a just over two hour practice on Family Fun Day at Chiefs Training Camp as fans packed out the MoWest campus and surrounded the Mosaic Life Care Practice Fields, staying after practice for a full team autograph session. After a
The season ending knee inury to Mahomes at the end of last season brought question to if Mahomes would even practice in St. Joseph this season during Chiefs Training Camp. Mahomes was cleared two days prior to the start of camp at MoWest, and hasn't missed a practice, surprising fans and coaches with how healthy his knee looks. In fact, Mahomes says there are times when he forgets about the knee injury
"I try to be smart but there's sometimes you get through camp, man, you're trying to compete practices are long and I mean, you want to win the rep. So, there's times where I do forget about it and just play football, which is a good thing and then I'll have to do that again whenever we get to the regular season," Mahomes explains. "So, it's about learning how to play with what I’ve got, and I feel like I'm able to move and do the things that I can and we're going to keep pushing it and see where I can get it to. So I can hopefully get that okay to go out there and play Week 1.”
The first preseason game is officially a week away now, with Mahomes cleared to practice duringTraining Camp, the question now has been, will he play at all in the preseason?
There’s a pretty good chance I don’t play him," Head Coach Andy Reid told reporters following Friday's practice. "Percentages are leaning that way. I don’t know if I’ll play him in the second or third game, I mean I don’t know that, but percentages probably leaning against doing that and letting the other guys. We’ve got new people in those other positions and behind him, that need some work. And so, the more reps they get, the better.”
Mahomes says it's Reid's decision, but he'll be ready to play if called on
"I'll prepare to play and prepare to get myself ready and we'll see where we go from there. And if not, I'll be as locked in as I am during the game and try to get myself as ready to go for the game," Mahomes says. "So, it’s a process of trying to make sure you're ready for the season and whatever Coach thinks (is) best, I'll do.”
The Chiefs host the Los Angeles Rams next week at Arrowhead Stadium in the first preseason game. It's one of two preseason games against opponents they will also play in the regular season. There will be four practices next week, before an off day on Friday prior to the first preseason game. Chiefs practice again Monday at 9:15am.
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