The Kansas City Chiefs held their first padded practice on Friday morning and members of the media were allowed in practice for the first time. The media noted that several players were absent from practice.
The final tally from The Atheltic’s Nate Taylor had eight players, including several starters, missing from Friday’s practice:
- DE Frank Clark
- DE Demone Harris
- DT Derrick Nnadi
- DT Devaroe Lawrence
- TE Deon Yelder
- OT Martinas Rankin
- DB Juan Thornhill
- CB BoPete Keyes
A few notable #Chiefs players who didn’t participate in today’s padded practice: Frank Clark, Martinas Rankin, Juan Thornhill, Deon Yelder, BoPete Keyes, Derrick Nnadi, Devaroe Lawrence & Demone Harris.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 14, 2020
Andy Reid weighed in on a few absences during his introductory statement at his press conferences.
“Frank Clark has been sick, it’s not COVID,” Reid said.
It’s good to clarify that, but it’s also implied being that Clark hasn’t shown up on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Demone Harris and Devaroe Lawrence had an excused absence from the team according to Reid.
“Keyes had an orbital fracture that he got before he got here,” Reid explained.
This is the first time we heard about Keyes’ injury, he remains on the non-football injury list. This could have been the injury from college that saw him miss Tulane’s bowl game and portions of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. An orbital fracture impacts the bones surrounding the eye-socket.
Just walking out of Chiefs first camp practice in pads. Frank Clark, Derrick Nnadi, Deon Yelder, Devaroe Lawrence not in pads today.
Juan Thornhill (knee), Martinas Rankin (knee) both on PUP worked off to side with trainers. Same with BoPete Keys (NFI, undisclosed).
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) August 14, 2020
As the KC Star’s Herbie Teope noted, Thornhill and Rankin remain on the PUP list and they worked on the side with the training staff during practice. There were no updates from Reid on the significance of the absences of Nnadi or Yelder. That’s usually a good sign as far as their potential return to action as camp continues.
