Chiefs Training Camp: 4 things we learned from Andy Reid on August 2

As the Kansas City Chiefs head into the second rest day since the pads came on at training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, head coach Andy Reid provided updates on some of the intriguing position battles now underway.

1. Kingsley Suamataia is trending positively

Rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia once again took the first-team snaps. During a team period, he was joined on the starting line at left guard by his competitor at tackle: Wanya Morris. The second-year offensive tackle was filling in for All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney, who is still being eased back into team drills after a season-ending pectoral injury last postseason.

Reid isn’t ready to say if Suamataia will be the Week 1.

“Not necessarily,” he said. “It gives us a chance to let Wanya work a little guard. [Offensive line coach] Andy [Heck] moves those guys around. You saw Niang in there last week, so Wanya got a shot at it today. It’s not a permanent thing, that’s not what it is. It’s just a shot to get in there and see what we’ve got and what he can do there.”

The natural follow-up question was about Suamataia potentially moving around the line.

“Being a rookie here, you probably leave him in one spot for right now,” Reid clarified. “Eventually, he’ll be able to do all of it.”

It’s a fair point: Morris has had a full NFL season of practice repetitions — while Suamataia hasn’t yet made to the regular season. Plus, Suamataia only played two collegiate seasons, while Morris played legitimate snaps in four seasons over his time at the Universities of Tennessee and Oklahoma.

So the learning curve may be greater for the 21-year old rookie. Still, Reid recognizes his consistent progress through the first two weeks of camp.

“He’s worked in with those starters, he’s doing a nice job there,” Reid noted. “He’s working hard on the things we’re trying to teach him; there are a lot of new things that he is learning — and he’s playing aggressively. He’s getting better every day. He’s not taking steps back, which is important. He gets to go against good players, which is also important.”

The positive steps are important for Suamataia. Morris’ left guard tryout is another positive indication for Suamataia. The Chiefs want their depth linemen to be versatile, and they’re getting Morris a head start on that. It also gives Morris a start on competing for a guard position in 2025.

Morris did, however, left practice early on the front of the cart; Reid said he “hurt his shoulder a bit.”

2. Isiah Pacheco is ready to be a third-down back

The Chiefs’ offensive backfield is without veteran running back Jerick McKinnon for the first time since the 2020 season. Starter Isiah Pacheco has always had McKinnon to spell him on passing downs — and the Chiefs did not make any additions that project as direct substitutes for McKinnon.

Reid doesn’t seem to be concerned about it.

“He’s ready to be able to do all that,” announced the coach. “He’s good with the protection, he’s good with the technique and the fundamentals. He can run all the routes [and] he has great hands — so he can do that.”

Of course, Pacheco’s work as the primary ball carrier will force some rest in these situations. The Chiefs have always maintained a rotation for their backs — and Reid has other players who are also up to that task.

“Clyde [Edwards-Helaire] can do that,” Reid continued. “We have guys that can step in there and do it.”

3. Trent McDuffie has unique balance in coverage

Third-year cornerback Trent McDuffie has led a Chiefs’ coverage unit that has sometimes given the offense fits during training camp. The playmakers facing McDuffie’s individual coverage have found much less open space where they can work.

That is because the former first-round pick (and first-team All-Pro in 2023) is a rare player. Reid described him as “extremely smart.”

“He’s always in balance,” Reid declared. “As receivers, we’re trying to get the cornerbacks out of balance, especially if they’re coming up and pressing you… he is always under control and in balance. That’s a unique characteristic he has.”

4. Carson Steele is pushing for the return of the fullback

The Chiefs did not roster a fullback last year, a change from previous seasons where Anthony Sherman or Michael Burton filled a spot on the 53-man roster.

This year, undrafted rookie Carson Steele could bring the position back. During training camp, the first-team offense has used tight end Noah Gray when in traditional two-back, I-formation sets. But when the reserve teams are on the field, Steele has lined up there. Reid has noticed.

“Steele is doing a nice job with that,” Reid expressed. “He has jumped in there and played fullback. He’s been banging it in there with what we ask him to do. He’s really not a fullback, though. He can also do other things.”

At UCLA in 2023, Steele ran for 847 yards and six touchdowns — along with 163 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver. He wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but measured in at 6 feet tall and 228 pounds at the UCLA Pro Day. That combination of size and athleticism could carve him out a role on offense and special teams.

“He’s a big kid and he’s trying to make the team,” said Reid. “So he has had some real good snaps for us — a bit of a surprise there.”

Injury report

• Left practice early: OL Wanya Morris (shoulder)
• Out of practice (due to injury): LB Nick Bolton (elbow since 7/31), S Deon Bush (ankle since 7/31), CB Nazeeh Johnson (hamstring/knee since 7/28), CB Kelvin Joseph (hamstring since 8/1), WR Kadarius Toney (ankle since 7/31), WR Justin Watson (foot since 7/24)
• Non-football injury (NFI) list: S Justin Reid (out with quad since 7/21), DL BJ Thompson (non-football injury since 7/21)
• Physically unable to perform (PUP) list: DT Derrick Nnadi (out with triceps since 7/21), DL Charles Omenihu (out with ACL since 7/21)

Post of the day

Our John Dixon compiled all of Friday’s posts here. Here is the post of the day:

Nate’s right: he has looked the part. Justin Reid beginning camp on the non-football injury (NFI) list has afforded him a lot of action next to Bryan Cook with the first team.

Quote of the day

George Karlaftis on the Olympics: “I’ve watched a little bit of Olympics. I was watching Greece beat up on Australia this morning before we were getting ready for practice. You got to have a little bit of fun, still.”

What’s next?

The Chiefs have a day off on Saturday and will return to practice Sunday for a workout at 9:15 a.m. Arrowhead Time. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub will address the media following the practice as the entire team signs autographs.

Here’s the complete 2024 training camp schedule.