By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Chiefs practiced indoors Wednesday for their 15th training camp practice in St. Joseph.
There had been a couple of practices this year that had either started or finished indoors, but this was the first one that was completely confined inside the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex on the Missouri Western campus due to off-and-on showers through the morning.
The practice was closed to the general public on a day when practice was already limited to season-ticket holders only. A team autograph session scheduled after practice was also canceled due to weather.
The Chiefs worked for just over an hour in half pads in a short, 10-10-10 practice. The team now has just one practice standing between them and the first preseason game at New Orleans on Sunday.
Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy says that first time going against an actual opponent is an obviously important evaluation period - quite different than practice.
"You can, at times, play a little slow at practice," Nagy said. "Whether you're tired or thinking. In the game, they get their game plan and they can roll. Now, we can truly evaluate them and see. There's no scripted periods, or knowing if it's this defense or that defense."
Starting right guard Trey Smith is not too occupied with how many reps that he and the first-team offense will get on Sunday.
"We're just trying to go out there and do our thing," Smith said. "Get our job done at the highest level we can and just be consistent. I think the biggest thing just comes into the growth factor. You're not in a controlled environment or setting. You're out there playing."
"I think the biggest thing is, no matter how many reps we get, we just play with good intensity every rep."
Injury report
There were no new injuries Wednesday. Kadarius Toney, Jody Forston and L’Jarius Sneed remain sidelined. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was back after being ill Tuesday.
And you probably already know this, but no Chris Jones.
Skyy's the limit
With Mecole Hardman and Juju Smith-Schuster leaving the Chiefs this offseason, it’s been an interesting race to see who the top receiver will be this season.
While veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling is expected to have a big year, second year receiver Skyy Moore has grown by leaps and bounds this training camp. Nagy has noticed.
"I think growth within the system, but being able to play fast, because he knows where to go," Nagy said of Moore. "He's had the talent. Just last year, he was learning the offense. Now being able to transition to playing faster. Now, I think he'll get more opportunities and I think he'll do well."
Moore just hopes this improvement from camp translates to the games.
"Just keep it rolling over," he said. "I feel like I've had a better training camp than last year and I'm looking to have it bleed into the season."
Moore finished his rookie season with 267 receiving yards and a touchdown catch in Super Bowl 57.
Making the cut
The Chiefs and every other team in the NFL have to trim their active roster from 90 players to 53 by August 29.
The preseason games provide a great opportunity for younger players to prove their worth outside of training camp. Nagy said Wednesday that Andy Reid is a true professional when talking to players about the possibility of being cut.
"There's only so many people who can make the roster," Nagy said. "I think Coach Reid does a phenomenal job of explaining to the guys, 'Listen. If you don't make this roster, make it hard on us and make it easy for someone else to pick you up.'"
What's next
The Chiefs have just four training camp practices left. They’re off Thursday, practice Friday, travel Saturday and play at New Orleans on Sunday at noon.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.