By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Chiefs were back on the practice field in St. Joseph Tuesday after getting back from their preseason game in New Orleans this past Sunday.
That game ended in a close loss, but head coach Andy Reid says there were good moments mixed with some bad.
"Some good things, but there's plenty of stuff we need to work on," Reid said. "But, it was good to get the young guys as many reps as we did. Everybody got to play, which is good for evaluation purposes."
The Chiefs worked for about two hours at Missouri Western Tuesday in full pads on what was arguably the most pleasant day of camp thus far. Skies were blue and temperatures were in the mid 60s when players came down the hill.
Several receivers left practice early Tuesday with injuries. Justyn Ross (hamstring), Ihmir Smith-Marsette (groin) and Nikko Remigio, who dislocated his shoulder.
A real shame for Remigio, who was Kansas City's leading receiver in Sunday's game with four catches for 71 yards. The undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech had been making a strong impression in camp.
"He did some really good things, both in special teams and the catching part of it," Reid said. "We'll just see how this thing goes. The shoulder is back in, but we'll just have to see how he does."
"He'd been killing it," said fellow receiver Rashee Rice when asked about Remigio. "I mean, for him to go undrafted, I don't really understand why, but he's going to show everybody why he should have been drafted."
Coach Reid revealed Tuesday that tight end Jody Forston has been placed on season-ending injured reserve for a shoulder injury he suffered back on July 28.
With Forston on IR, and the Chiefs waiving corner Anthony Witherstone over the weekend, the team signed two new players Tuesday - linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (Rutgers) and cornerback Duron Lowe (Liberty).
Elsewhere, cornerback Nic Jones remains sidelined with fractured fingers - an injury he suffered in Sunday's game. Kadarius Toney (knee), L’Jarius Sneed (knee) and Turk Wharton (knee) are still sidelined.
Safety Mike Edwards was present at practice Tuesday without a helmet. Reid says Edwards' ankle has just been swelling after getting stepped on, and is expected back soon.
Reid also remarked that Sneed should be back "sooner than later."
Defense seeking answers
The New Orleans Saints moved the ball at will against the Chiefs’ top defense in the first half of Sunday’s game, scoring on each of their first three drives.
One big piece of the puzzle obviously missing was defensive tackle Chris Jones, who has not reported to training camp as he waits on a contract extension.
Linebacker Nick Bolton says not having Jones there leaves a void, but Bolton has faith in those who have stepped up in Jones’ absence.
"We hope we get (Jones) back soon," Bolton said. "We understand what he brings to the table. He makes the defense existentially better. At the end of the day, we have the guys we have here, man. Those guys are putting their all into it. We're going to keep working with these guys. Come in every single day, put your heart on the line and see where it takes you."
Coach Reid was asked if there was any communication recently with Jones or any expectation on when Jones might join the team.
"Uh, no."
What's next
The Chiefs practice again on Wednesday morning at 9:15 and again on Thursday at 8:15, which will be the final training camp practice.
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