KC Chiefs’ Ronald Jones sees ‘one-two-three punch’ at RB with Jerick McKinnon’s return
Chiefs running back Ronald Jones said after signing a free-agent deal in March that he and Clyde Edwards-Helaire would make a “great one-two punch” in Kansas City.
That was then, this is now.
The Chiefs on Tuesday officially brought back running back Jerick McKinnon on a one-year deal, and his presence could change how the Chiefs work out specific roles,
Jones, however, believes if anything, the backfield could be even more potent with McKinnon’s return.
“A one-two-three punch, if you will, is our group,” Jones said.
The Chiefs spent time bolstering the running backs group this offseason. Before McKinnon re-signed, Edwards-Helaire and Derrick Gore were the lone returners at tailback from the 2021 season, joining fullback Michael Burton.
Jones signed in March, and then the Chiefs used a seventh-round pick on Isiah Pacheco. A pair of undrafted free agents, Jerrion Ealy and Taylor Fleet-Davis, round out the current group.
But why so many running backs on the offseason roster, especially when the Chiefs aren’t likely to keep more than three on the initial active 53-player roster?
The Chiefs need fresh legs to get through the upcoming training camp and preseason games, and Jones points out that having a set of running backs with different skill sets to complement each other will only help the offense.
“It’s going to take more than one guy,” Jones said. “I think that’s what they’re looking forward to.”
Jones, who joined the Chiefs after spending four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-21), is doing his part to become a reliable piece to the puzzle since joining the team.
He’s immersed himself in learning the playbook and participating in on-field work throughout organized team activities (OTAs) and two days of mandatory minicamp.
And there’s an area of the running back’s skill set that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is likely to give a hard look. With 76 career catches for 571 yards and a touchdown, Jones should find himself more involved in the passing game.
He fully embraces the opportunity to help out what projects as a three-headed threat at the running back position.
“Coach has me out wide, things like that,” Jones said. “Just things that they do in the offense, so in order to get on the field, I’m going to have to do similar work. That would be cool, too. I’m always down for that.”
PARTICIPATION REPORT
Wide receiver Josh Gordon went down during a team drill and received attention from the Chiefs’ training staff. He was able to get up on his own and left the practice field with a trainer.
Defensive end Frank Clark was excused from mandatory minicamp for a second straight day, the Chiefs announced.
McKinnon, who signed Tuesday, was not on the practice field.
Rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie, tight end Blake Bell, tackle Prince Tega Wanogho, defensive end Malik Herring, rookie wide receiver Justyn Ross and cornerback Rashad Fenton (shoulder) were not present.
Tackle Lucas Niang (knee) and rookie cornerback Joshua Williams observed practice off to the side without their helmets.
Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who hasn’t signed his franchise tag, remains absent, as expected.
OBSERVATIONS
The Chiefs’ media rules during mandatory minicamp are the same from OTAs, so reporting on personnel groupings (first- or second- or third-team units), specific formations/alignments, trick plays and situational plays are prohibited.
What is allowed, however, are general observations on head-turning and notable plays, such as:
- Quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to show good chemistry with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. During one team drill, Mahomes connected with Valdes-Scantling, who beat cornerback Deandre Baker down the right side of the field, for what would have been a touchdown.
- Rookie safety Byran Cook recorded an interception off Mahomes during a team drill. On the play, Mahomes rolled to his right and attempted to throw it deep to wide receiver Mecole Hardman, but the pass fluttered in the air, making it an easy interception for Cook. The Chiefs’ second-round pick recorded another interception later in practice.
- Cornerback Brandin Dandridge had a nifty diving interception off rookie backup quarterback Dustin Crum, whose pass to the right side of the field appeared to sail. Dandridge made a full extension dive to record the pick.
The Chiefs hosted more than 300 season ticket members as part of the team’s annual “First Look” event during mandatory minicamp.
