Why Chiefs Believe Mansoor Delane Isn't Behind Despite Camp Limitations

The Kansas City Chiefs were bitten by the injury bug over the summer, but none of their rehabbing players were tied to nonstop speculation more than rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane.

When the first-round pick started training camp sporting a yellow non-contact jersey, many were worried about such a premium investment already being banged up. As time passed and Delane still wasn't a full participant in practices at the Missouri Western State University campus, that background noise of worry turned into a full-fledged blaring of speakers.

Fortunately for Kansas City, Delane shed the jersey and has kept it tucked away in the aftermath of the club's preseason-opening defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. While the LSU product did sit out that contest, there's some optimism that he could potentially be available this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs already love what they're seeing at practice with game day approaching.

Speaking to the media, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo tipped his cap to Delane for being a fiery worker and said the team is working hard to get him up to speed.

“Yeah, he's definitely a competitor," Spagnuolo said. "We saw that on tape when we evaluated him. But like a lot of these young guys, (LB) Nick (Bolton) and I were just over there talking about it, sometimes you’ve got to knock some practice habits out of them. I think Mansoor is learning that. I think he's embracing it. I think the vets are pushing him toward that.

"It's unfortunate that he's missed all the time he's missed, but we'll try to get him caught up here. I don't know what will happen with the game. That'll be on (head coach Andy) Reid, but I'm anxious to get him out there and see what we’ve got.”

Defensive backs coach Dave Merritt took a different approach, citing Delane as locked-in mentally but merely needing to meet the physical standards required to assume a full-time workload in the future.

"He's not behind," Merritt said. "We go through all the walkthroughs, he's been over there. It's the mental part that you want to make sure you keep these guys up on. As far as the physicalness, I mean, they all have to go through the pads and get out there and get the wind up under them. But as far as the mental, he's right where we need him."

Merritt, who cites Delane as possessing "sticky" coverage in the defensive backfield, said he looks forward to seeing some of his physicality on top of that if he plays this weekend. During his limited work at camp, Kansas City routinely had Delane go into the huddle for play calls before he jogged back off to the sideline. Merritt says that process assisted with conditioning and also with the understanding of the scheme in simulated reps.

Delane, an All-American with the Tigers, was widely regarded as the top cornerback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. His blend of athleticism, adequate length and football IQ made him a no-brainer pick for the Chiefs, even with fans and media alike expecting the club to opt for a defensive end or wide receiver with its first-round pick. Instead, a move up the draft board was made for Delane, landing a player KC hopes will headline its secondary for the next half-decade and beyond.

Step one in that process was simply getting Delane to a point where he could practice without restrictions. Now, it's about ensuring he's prepared to hit the ground running in the first season of his professional career. The expectations for him, fair or unfair, are extreme.

The coaching staff feels like he's on track to meet them despite having a tumultuous last couple of months.

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