Chiefs rookies get first taste of training camp Wednesday
By Jacob Meikel
It was private work for Chiefs quarterbacks, rookies and players returning from injury on Wednesday morning, as training camp practices officially began.
First-round pick Xavier Worthy, who the Chiefs traded up for at pick 28 in the 2024 draft, took to the practice field for the first time since suffering a hamstring injury that kept him out of most of the offseason programing. Worthy came to the practice field with his upper left leg wrapped up as he is still nursing the injury. However, Worthy was very much active, running routes, catching passes and lining up for 7-on-7 drills. The former Texas Longhorn continues to work towards being 100% before the start of the season.
“It’s getting better. As I go, it’s going to continue getting better, so I just wanna be able to be out there with the guys and keep working,” Worthy said.
Worthy may not be the only rookie to contribute to the offense right away. With the departure of Donovan Smith, there’s still a question mark at the left tackle position for Kansas City heading into camp. Second round pick Kingsley Suamataia is expected to be in the mix for that position as a rookie along with second year lineman Wanya Morris who filled in for four games at the position. Suamataia feels there will be no love lost between the two teammates as they compete for the job.
“We’re boys on and off the field,” Suamataia said after practice on Wednesday. “Just trying to gain the job, but we’re both just working hard the best that we can.”
The Chiefs added depth at an already robust safety position by drafting Jaden Hicks in the fourth round of this year’s draft. The product from Washington State is getting used to competing against reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes in practice. The 21-year-old Hicks continues to soak in what he’s seeing from his starting quarterback on the other side of the football.
“Obviously, he’s the best, if not one of the best quarterbacks in the league. So just being able to watch him, see what he progresses through and stuff like that definitely can elevate the defense’s game,” Hicks said.
The limited roster of players who attended practice on Wednesday at Missouri Western will be the same group that sees the practice field the rest of the week. The remaining veteran players for Kansas City are expected to arrive in St. Joseph by the end of the week.
