By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph felt the heat wave Saturday, especially those at Chiefs training camp.
Temperatures were already in the 80s by Saturday morning with plenty of humidity to go around. Some high level clouds and breeze provided a little relief, as the Chiefs practiced for over two hours at Missouri Western.
Head coach Andy Reid thought the team handled the elements well.
"Little more heat again today," Reid said. "The guys battled through it. We had a day off (Friday). So, they freshened up and came out here and worked their tail off. Great competition between both sides and I appreciated that as the head coach."
After a shorter 10-10-10 practice Thursday, and a day off Friday, the Chiefs had a lengthier session Saturday with lots of install, one-on-one drills, special teams, two-minute drills, 9-on-7, 7-on-7 and full team 11-on-11.
Injury wise, tight end Jody Forston (quad) and receiver Gary Jennings (concussion) did not practice Saturday. Forston has been out for a week, but Reid says he's "progressing."
Receiver Daurice Fountain left practice with a finger injury and will be X-rayed. Defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth did not practice Saturday due to a knee bruise.
Right tackle Lucas Niang (knee) and corner Rashad Fenton (shoulder) are still on the injured list.
Young talent in the secondary
Saturday was a good day for rookie corners Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams, who each had a handful of pass deflections against top receiver Saturday. Reid, when asked about McDuffie described him as "smart, strong and usually in position to make things happen."
Meanwhile, safety and fourth-year pro Juan Thornhill has emerged as a leader in the defensive backfield this camp, especially with the absence of Tyrann Mathieu.
Thornhill says not a lot has changed in the way he goes about his business on the field.
"Just being more vocal to the guys," Thornhill said. "Guys come to me to ask questions and they look to me to give them the right answer if they don't have the right answer. So, that's the only thing I've been doing (different) is trying to be a leader, lead by example and if the (young players) have any questions, they can just ask me."
After tearing his ACL in his left knee toward the end of 2019 and not being 100% in 2020, Thornhill says he's feeling his best now, and had said during OTAs that he felt like he could have an all-pro type of season.
"The knee is healthier," he said. "I have more mental clarity. I feel better all around. I just feel like I'm back to myself and I'm capable of having an all-pro season."
Running back depth
It's become apparent by now that the top running back job is once again Clyde Edwards-Helaire's to lose. However, the competition for the No. 2 back has been more interesting.
Rookie Isiah Pacheco has won a lot of praise, but Jerick McKinnon is making a case, as is Ronald Jones. Heck, even Derrick Gore got some reps with the first-team offense Saturday.
"I like the depth at running back," Reid said. "I like it. I'm curious to see those guys compete in games. We know a couple of them, because they've been here, and we're learning about the other two (Jones, Pacheco). It looks like a good group."
Receivers coming together
In the post Tyreek Hill era, Chiefs fans have been getting acquainted with new faces at wide receiver, like Juju Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Skyy Moore.
One face that is familiar from last year is fourth-year pro Mecole Hardman, who was third on the team last season with 693 receiving yards and 59 catches.
Hardman says Patrick Mahomes has done a nice job leading and bringing these receivers together.
"Pat's a leader," he said. "He's going to lead us and we're going to look to him to lead. I think he does a good job of that - putting a lot of pressure on his shoulders. So, he's getting us together and doing what he needs to do to be a leader. Can't ask anything more out of him."
The Chiefs practice again Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before the next day off Wednesday.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.