Chiefs’ top highlight Sunday was from veteran TE. He’s earning some reps with 1s
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- Tight end Robert Tonyan made a standout one-handed catch during 7-on-7 drills.
- Tonyan has earned practice reps with starters, splitting time with Kelce and Gray.
- Coach Andy Reid praised Tonyan’s consistency and experience as a receiving threat.
Chiefs tight end Robert Tonyan provided the top highlight of the team’s first padded practice of training camp on Sunday, snagging a one-handed catch down the right sideline during 7-on-7 drills.
It continues a strong start for the 31-year-old, who has been rotated in some with first-string players during the team’s opening week on Missouri Western’s campus.
“He’s done a nice job. He’s a veteran. He’s played before,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Sunday. “He’s been consistent, a good receiver — receiving tight end.”
Tonyan, who’s entering his eighth season, was briefly with the Chiefs last season when he signed to the practice squad in December. He was later released by KC in January, only to be re-signed in March.
Previously, Tonyan played for the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. During his five-game stint with the Vikings last season, Tonyan recorded no catches.
The Chiefs seem to like what they’ve seen from him so far. Tonyan has subbed in often during plays with starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes, sharing those duties with Travis Kelce, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley.
“He’s a great football player. He’s a vet. He’s been around the league for a while,” Gray said of Tonyan. “Very instinctual, very smart, makes plays, and he’s an even better teammate.”
The Chiefs had other tight end news Sunday, as undrafted rookie Jake Briningstool was held out of practice with a hamstring strain. Briningstool also missed time during summer drills with injury.
When asked specifically Sunday about Briningstool’s upcoming status, Reid said he didn’t know how long the tight end would be out.
Tonyan and Briningstool figure to be in a potential battle for a roster spot if each is healthy. Briningstool, who played at Clemson last season, signed with Kansas City in part because Reid personally called him to talk with him about the team’s potential plans for him.
Wiley will also be a storyline to follow in camp. The 2024 fourth-round draft pick has returned to practice after tearing his ACL in November.
That recovery might’ve been quicker than expected. If Wiley remains healthy, he seems like a near-lock on the active roster alongside Kelce and Gray.
KC had one other tight end candidate return on Sunday. Tre Watson, an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M, logged his first practice after previously sitting out with abdominal and groin injuries.
This story was originally published July 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM.
