7 observations from Day 1 of Chiefs minicamp: Kelce’s back, Williams looks good
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- Patrick Mahomes did individual and 7-on-7 drills but sat out 11-on-11 team work.
- Second-year cornerback Nohl Williams had two pass breakups and an end-zone interception.
- Tight end Travis Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones returned for mandatory minicamp.
The Kansas City Chiefs opened Day 1 of their three-day mandatory minicamp to members of the media on Tuesday.
As on Day 3 and Day 6 of OTAs, I had a pen and notepad in hand for the hour-and-40-minute session.
Here’s what I saw:
Status quo for Patrick Mahomes
As was the case for the previous two open sessions, Mahomes participated in individual and 7-on-7 drills but did not take part in the 11-on-11 team session.
Even when he’s not working on the field, Mahomes watches closely from the sideline, coaching up backup Justin Fields and rookie seventh-rounder Garrett Nussmeier. Mahomes is aiming to be a full practice participant sometime during training camp and 100% ready to start by Week 1.
Quick injury notes and notable absences
On offense, wide receiver Xavier Worthy remained in the yellow non-contact jersey he wore during voluntary sessions. After not appearing at the first two open voluntary looks, tight end Travis Kelce was back for the first day of mandatory minicamp.
As expected, fellow receiver Rashee Rice missed the workout. Rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg watched practice without a helmet.
On defense, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane, defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott and rookie linebacker Wesley Bissainthe watched practice without helmets. Safety Jaden Hicks remained in a yellow non-contact jersey.
Like Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones was on the field for the first day of mandatory minicamp after not appearing at either of the first two open looks.
Head coach Andy Reid doesn’t always provide injury details during offseason work, but there is a chance he will have more information on Delane when he speaks to reporters Thursday.
The things that caught my eye
The player of the day was on the defensive side of the ball, which is always a pleasant surprise for coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, considering non-contact practices tend to favor the offense.
That player was second-year cornerback Nohl Williams, who began the workout in 11-on-11 by breaking up a Justin Fields pass intended for wide receiver Xavier Worthy. Williams continued his strong day by breaking up Patrick Mahomes’ first pass in 7-on-7, also intended for Worthy.
Williams capped off the day with an end-zone interception of Mahomes, who threw high into traffic and into his hands.
“I think I (saw) Xavier coming across the formation,” Williams said. “Mahomes can extend the play. I had nothing to the flat, just kind of squeezed the formation, and he threw it up. It’s a good play, but onto the next. Got to do it again. You’re only as good as your last.”
Defensive back Chamarri Conner also intercepted Fields on the third play of practice. Cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace broke up a Fields pass in 11-on-11.
On offense, Worthy continued to be the favorite target across the board, no matter who was under center. He secured a touchdown on a sidearm pass from Mahomes during 7-on-7 work. Despite tight coverage, tight end Jared Wiley caught a touchdown from Mahomes just inside the right pylon to start the session.
Within three plays in 11-on-11, speedy fifth-round rookie receiver Cyrus Allen reeled in a deep pass from Fields down the left sideline, then scored a leaping touchdown in the red zone on a sprint-out to the left side of the end zone. Fields finished that period by scrambling for what would have been a touchdown, even in a live look.
Some lesser-knowns who popped
Rookie seventh-round quarterback Garrett Nussmeier continued to impress in flashes, connecting with wide receiver Jimmy Holiday over the middle as he fell forward.
Nussmeier threw a touchdown to running back EJ Smith (the son of Emmitt Smith) in 11-on-11, a deep score to wide receiver Xavier Loyd in 7-on-7 and another to wide receiver Jeff Caldwell in red-zone 7-on-7. Caldwell toe-tapped in the back of the end zone, with an official on hand giving him the nod for the score.
Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong scored a touchdown from Fields in 7-on-7.
Welcome back, L’Jarius Sneed
A familiar face — cornerback L’Jarius Sneed — joined the team on the field midway through practice. Sneed wasn’t dressed to participate immediately, but there’s a good chance he will be ready to practice Wednesday.
“Chiefs Kingdom, what’s up, baby?” Sneed said in a post to the team’s official X account Tuesday. “Nice to be back with the family.”
Fans and friends get a ‘First Look’
Select season-ticket holders and team partners were invited for a “First Look” event, giving fans and supporters of the club access to the practice.
Chiefs broadcaster Mitch Holthus and in-house team senior reporter Matt McMullen provided a radio broadcast for those in attendance, featuring interviews with Reid, general manager Brett Veach and team president Mark Donovan, among others.
Target practice: Mahomes in 7-on-7, Fields in 11-on-11
Mahomes in 7-on-7: wide receiver Xavier Worthy (4), tight end Travis Kelce (2), wide receiver Cyrus Allen, running back Emari Demercado, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, tight end Jared Wiley.
Fields in 11-on-11: wide receiver Xavier Worthy (6), running back Kenneth Walker (3), wide receiver Cyrus Allen (2), wide receiver Nikko Remigio, wide receiver Jalen Royals, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
