The Kansas City Chiefs were back at practice on Thursday, partaking in their second training camp practice of the year.
It was a scorching hot day in St. Joseph, Missouri, touching 100 degrees on the heat index before practice even began. It made hydration all the more important for the players on the practice fields as they get back into a routine.
The Chiefs were without one new player in practice on Thursday. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens missed practice after tweaking his hamstring during Monday’s practice. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid only glossed over the injury following Monday’s practice and didn’t seem to expect it to be serious. It was at least serious enough to keep him out of practice today, with no indication of when Hitchens might return.
Control what you can control !!!
— Anthony Hitchens (@AnthonyHitchens) July 29, 2021
Rookie linebacker Nick Bolton got more repetitions at practice because of Hitchens’ absence, but not in the middle linebacker spot. Moving to the middle was veteran linebacker Ben Niemann. Taking over for Niemann at the weakside was Bolton.
Travis Kelce left practice early, walking up the hill under his own power with a trainer. He didn’t return to practice, but this seemed to be precautionary and not due to a serious injury.
“Kelce left with his back and hips, (they) were just a little tight,” Chiefs EVP of Communication Ted Crews said.
Remaining absent from practice were Darwin Thompson (COVID), James Winchester (COVID), Kyle Long (PUP), Armani Watts (PUP), Malik Herring (Non-football injury), and Nick Keizer (Non-football injury). These are all expected absences.
We’ll find out more about Kelce’s status tomorrow when the Chiefs resume practice.
