St. Joseph, MO – The Kansas City Chiefs’ Tuesday practice session, a grueling nearly 2 1/2-hour affair, was marred by a spate of injuries and a heated altercation, all under the oppressive weight of a triple-digit heat index. Wide receiver Marquise Brown was among the most notable casualties, leaving practice with an ankle injury.
Brown, who was hampered by a shoulder injury for much of last season, reportedly hurt his ankle early in the session. Chiefs coach Andy Reid offered a cautious update, stating, “I haven’t seen him yet but they took him up. I don’t think it’s too bad but we’ll see.” Brown, nicknamed “Hollywood,” was seen being carted from the practice fields to the locker room.
The wide receiver corps appeared to take a particularly hard hit. Second-year standout Xavier Worthy “banged his head,” according to Reid, though he was able to return to practice. Adding to the concerns, 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore, whose roster spot is reportedly in jeopardy, also departed practice with a hamstring injury.
The injury woes extended across multiple positions. Fifth-round pick Jeffrey Bassa suffered an ankle sprain, while tight end Jake Briningstool, linebacker Cooper McDonald (illness), and defensive backs Deon Bush, Eric Scott Jr., and Darius Rush all missed time with hamstring issues. Cornerback Kristian Fulton, a significant free-agency acquisition, remains on the PUP list with a lingering knee problem.
Despite the numerous setbacks, Coach Reid commended his team’s effort in the challenging conditions. “It’s hard work. You’re out there in the heat. It’s tough,” said Reid, visibly drenched in sweat, “but the guys battled through. I appreciate the tempo they set and all the energy that they gave.”
However, that energy spilled over in one instance. First-round pick Josh Simmons, a strong contender for the starting left tackle position, engaged in a shoving match with third-round defensive end Ashton Gillotte. The scuffle escalated to punches before Reid and other players intervened, breaking up the heated exchange.
The Chiefs will undoubtedly be closely monitoring the status of their injured players as they continue training camp under what are proving to be demanding conditions.
