Chiefs’ Frank Clark, Mitchell Schwartz miss on-field work during Wednesday’s practice
The Chiefs were down two players, defensive end Frank Clark and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, for Wednesday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Clark was dealing with a swollen knee, but indicated the injury isn’t serious.
“He should be OK,” Reid said. “We’re resting him today.”
Schwartz left early during the Chiefs’ Week 5 loss to the Raiders and hasn’t practiced since. He’s missed the past two games.
While Clark and Schwartz didn’t get in any on-field work, the Chiefs welcomed back three players.
Reid said wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who missed three straight games with a hamstring injury, would “get some work in” when the Chiefs hit the practice field.
“We’ll see how he does,” Reid said.
The Chiefs eventually listed Watkins as a limited participant. The designation means he took part in stretching and individual position drills only and not full team-related drills.
During Watkins’ absence over the past three games, the Chiefs relied on wide receivers Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle to fill the void alongside Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs have also called up Marcus Kemp from the practice squad in recent games to help out on special teams.
Reid said fullback Anthony Sherman would return to practice since landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Oct. 13. Sherman entered the protocol after being exposed to someone who tested positive and hasn’t played since Week 5 against the Raiders.
Rookie cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who has been on injured reserve since Sept. 30 with a shoulder injury, also returned to practice Wednesday, Reid said.
Sneed, who suffered the injury in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, opened the season as the starting right cornerback while Bashuad Breeland served a four-game suspension. Despite missing four games, Sneed’s two interceptions are still tied for the team lead with safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen.
The Chiefs listed left tackle Eric Fisher (shoulder), defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin), defensive end Taco Charlton (knee), defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (ankle), center Austin Reiter (knee) and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (elbow) as full participants.
For the Panthers, safety Jeremy Chinn (knee) did not practice, while cornerback Corn Elder (neck), defensive tackle Zach Kerr (toe) and tackle Russell Okung (calf) were limited.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (neck) and cornerback Donte Jackson (toe) put in full practices.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, who is not listed on the injury report, appears on track to return to action for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in Week 2.
“I’m really hopeful,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday afternoon during a teleconference with Chiefs media members. “He was able to practice today, so hopefully his body responds really well when he wakes up (Thursday).”
This story was originally published November 4, 2020 at 1:02 PM.
