Chiefs Get Good News on Returning Defensive Starters, One Surprise Absence

There was good news and bad news on the injury front for the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, as a pair of defensive starters returned to practice while two others were sidelined.

Jul 26, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) waves to fans while walking down the hill from the locker room to the fields prior to training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports | Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are back at training camp after just one off day following Saturday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Though Monday's practice is non-padded, it may also be the best day of injury news the Chiefs have had all camp.

Safety Justin Reid came down the hill with his helmet on Monday, making his first appearance on the field during this year's training camp. Reid was placed on the non-football injury list when he arrived at Missouri Western State University due to a quad injury he suffered before reporting to camp. Reid's presence at practice implies he has left the NFI list.

Another defensive staple, linebacker Nick Bolton, returned to practice with his helmet and "a heavy elbow brace" according to Marleah Campbell of KCTV5. Monday marks Bolton's first return to the field since suffering an elbow injury on July 31.

A little closer look at Chiefs LB Nick Bolton with the wrap on his left elbow pic.twitter.com/3SRELp7LFW

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 12, 2024

Wide receiver Kadarius Toney returned after being sidelined for portions of the most recent leg of camp, marking his second attempted return since also being injured on July 31.

Kadarius Toney, Justin Reid & Nick Bolton all came down the hill with helmets today. Bolton wearing a heavy elbow brace. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/NlaYXwrSYL

— Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) August 12, 2024

The Chiefs' absences on Monday provide some cause for concern, but on a light day of practice following the team's first preseason game, some of Monday's hold-outs could be precautionary. Still, one name was a surprising addition to the list of absences.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones (shoulder), offensive tackle Wanya Morris (knee) and wide receiver Jaaron Hayek (hamstring) are present but not practicing on Monday, according to Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest. Derrick noted that he hadn't spotted safety Bryan Cook, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, offensive lineman McKade Mettauer or wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. Brown and Mettauer were both injured during Saturday's preseason opener.

"As far as the injuries go, Hollywood Brown has that same thing that Tyreek [Hill] had down here, actually," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said after the game in Jacksonville. "Sternoclavicular post dislocation. They've taken him to the hospital. They'll check him out, and they're working on that as we speak."

Update: After practice, Reid explained why Cook was surprisingly absent from Monday's practice.
"Personal matters," Reid said. "Baby on the way."

Chris Jones (shoulder), Wanya Morris (knee) and Jaaron Hayek (hamstring) are here but not practicing Monday. Haven’t seen Hollywood Brown, Bryan Cook, Clyde Edwards-Helaire or McKade Mettauer. Everyone else active is here and working in some form.

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 12, 2024

Defensive ends Charles Omenihu (PUP) and B.J. Thompson (NFI) remain sidelined.

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