Three Takeaways From Day 1 of Chiefs Training Camp

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their 2023-24 season with their first day of full-team training camp practice in St. Joseph, Missouri on Sunday.

While most of the team was in attendance, Chiefs all-pro defensive tackle Chris Jones was not on the field. As previously reported by Adam Schefter, Jones has chosen to hold out from camp as he awaits a new long-term contract.

Here are three things that I took away from today’s practice.

Richie James impresses

The wide receiver group is going to have a lot of eyes on it as camp progresses and new addition Richie James stood out on the first day of open practices. James made several impressive catches during team and 7-on-7 sessions. With his abilities to return punts and play on other special teams, James could have an inside track to make the roster come cutdown day on August 29.

Injury trouble already?

After the first practice, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said the team had a pair of injuries they were working through. First, Wanya Morris is dealing with a hamstring injury that held him out of today’s activities.

Perhaps the biggest injury was to wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Reid said that Toney “ tweaked his knee” and was pulled from practice early.

Kansas City comes into this season fairly healthy, with only defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Wharton and Morris were the only two that did not participate in practice on Sunday

Patrick Mahomes still has it

This might come as no surprise, but Patrick Mahomes was on point. Whether it was finding Richie James in traffic or dropping a ball perfectly in the bread basket for Travis Kelce, Mahomes seemingly hasn’t missed a beat from his MVP campaign in 2022-23. Although the pads aren’t on yet, it’s still fun to see Mahomes carve up a defense, no matter the circumstances.