Chiefs’ first-round draft pick was limited at rookie minicamp. Andy Reid explained why
Kansas City first-round draft pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah wore a right wrist wrap and did not participate in team portions of Chiefs rookie minicamp over the last three days.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid explained why on Monday: The edge rusher had thumb surgery before the NFL Draft and is still recovering.
“He did a little bit more today than he did yesterday,” Reid said after Monday’s final rookie minicamp day. “And we’ll just keep gradually bringing him back in.”
Anudike-Uzomah did not wear a helmet during Saturday and Sunday’s rookie minicamp workouts while mostly standing to the side. That picked up a bit Monday, as Anudike-Uzomah wore a helmet and went through some walk-through installs.
The Chiefs’ team podcast recently mentioned that Anudike-Uzomah broke his hand on the last play of the Sugar Bowl with Kansas State.
Reid confirmed Monday that Anudike-Uzomah had surgery on his thumb before the NFL Draft.
“It was actually right before that (pre-draft) workout that we had here,” Reid said. “So he wasn’t able to do that either.”
As far as a future timeline, Reid said the team had “hope” Anudike-Uzomah could be back for organized team activities, which begin May 22 and span over three weeks through early June.
“We’re kind of gradually bringing him back. I mean, today he had his helmet on and did a little bit more,” Reid said. “ ... We’ll just see how he feels.”
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Anudike-Uzomah was taken 31st overall by the Chiefs last month. He’s expected to compete for immediate playing time on the edge opposite George Karlaftis, with Pro Football Focus describing Anudike-Uzomah as “one of the best edge benders in the draft class.”
This story was originally published May 8, 2023 at 5:08 PM.
