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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Goldman

Injury, absence updates from Chiefs OTAs on Thursday

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their sixth organized team activity practice on Thursday. They’ll take another long weekend with members of last year’s Super Bowl team heading to the White House on Monday before returning to Kansas City for the final four days of OTAs from June 6-9.

Andy Reid didn’t speak to the media on Thursday, so no official updates regarding any injuries or absences in practice. Media members were present for practice on Thursday and Arrowhead Pride’s Pete Sweeney noted that the following 10 players were not seen at practice:

  • DT Chris Jones
  • CB L’Jarius Sneed
  • DT Tershawn Wharton
  • TE Blake Bell
  • TE Travis Kelce
  • RB Jerick McKinnon
  • RB Isiah Pacheco
  • LT Donovan Smith
  • WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
  • WR Kadarius Toney

Keep in mind, this portion of the offseason program is still entirely voluntary. It’s not uncommon to see 10 players out of practice this time of the year for various reasons. Jones has been keeping away with his contract situation up in the air. Wharton is working his way back from an ACL injury suffered in Week 5 of last year. Pacheco is still limited with his offseason surgeries, but RB coach Todd Pinkston confirmed that he’s been helping out in the team meetings while he has been sidelined.

It might be uncomfortable to see names like Toney, Kelce and McKinnon here, but it’s much more likely that they’re out of practice for personal reasons than an injury issue this time of the year. For veterans like Kelce and McKinnon, it’s not to uncommon to see them pick and choose with these types of practices.

It is notable that Sneed was fully absent from practice after being spotted on the sideline last week. Trent McDuffie remained sidelined along with international OT Jason Godrick and free agent S Mike Edwards, according to Sweeney.

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