By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Day two of Chiefs training camp is in the books, and it was another hot day Thursday.
Heat indices were well into the 90s shortly after 10 a.m. The Chiefs practiced in helmets and shorts, but the session was cut short for star tight end Travis Kelce, who left practice under his own power Thursday.
Kelce had some hip and back tightness, according to a team spokesperson.
On defense, linebacker Anthony Hitchens was present, but did not practice after tweaking his hamstring toward the end of Wednesday’s practice. The seriousness of that is not exactly known yet.
Also, tight end Nick Keizer was held out Thursday due to back spasms. With Kelce and Keizer held out, rookie tight end Noah Gray made some nice grabs in the first-team offense. As did Jody Forston in the second-team.
Receiver Antonio Callaway also made some nice grabs Thursday with the first-team offense. Marcus Kemp also saw reps with the first-team group.
Byron Pringle, a third-year pro who's caught 33 passes through his first two seasons with Kansas City, is excited about what his position group can do - even after the departure of Sammy Watkins in the offseason.
"It's still the same," Pringle said of the receiver room. "Everybody is bringing the high energy. Everybody is helping each other, from the older guys to the younger guys. Nothing has really changed. It's just that mentality of being out here, ready to work and executing at a high level."
The key, of course, will be the Chiefs’ offensive line, which has new faces like rookie Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney acquired from the Patriots and Orlando Brown Jr. acquired from the Ravens.
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire says that group has impressed so far.
"Everything from pass protection and being in the O-line room, everything is cordial," Edwards-Helaire said. "As far as the scheme and everything we've been putting in, it's looking pretty good."
On defense, sixth-year pro Chris Jones is down about 15 pounds and playing tackle and defensive end.
He’s enjoyed that so far, and looks forward to things getting more physical once the pads go on.
"I see a lot of physicality going on right now," Jones said. "People are excited. People forget we can't do much without the shells on, but I think we're going to definitely get out there and challenge each other on the line of scrimmage.
Edwards-Helaire feeling 100 percent healthy
The second-year running back said he felt about 85-90 percent healthy going into Super Bowl 55 after suffering a lower body injury against New Orleans in week 15.
Now, he says he feels 100 percent at camp.
"Just having the time to let my body recover and being specific with my training and rehab in the offseason got me to where I am right now," he said.
Other observations
Rookie center Creed Humphrey had three botched snaps during the early part of 11-on-11, but cleaned it up toward the end of Thursday.
Corner Mike Hughes had a nice break-up during seven-on-sevens. Fellow corner L'Jarius Sneed praised Hughes as someone who's athletically gifted and someone who can make a difference for the Chiefs' secondary this season.
The Chiefs practice again on Friday and Saturday before an off-day Sunday.
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