Eric Berry was not present for the start of the Kansas City Chiefs OTAs on Tuesday. I saw a picture of Berry supposedly at an event in Kansas City this week so it had me wondering if something about to go down. Alas, Berry was not in attendance for the first day of OTAs as he and the Chiefs continue to figure out his contract. Berry has not signed his franchise tender. It's nothing to be concerned about at this point as the two sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal or else Berry will play out the season under his one-year, $10.8 million tender.
Onto the injury report. The highlights are that Jamaal Charles did not practice while Phillip Gaines did practice in a limited fashion. They're both dealing with ACL injuries. Reid indicated that Jamaal is more likely to be ready for training camp rather than OTAs. So keep waiting.
More injury news...
LB Justin Houston is at the facility
He had the ACL this offseason too. He was in the building this week. Andy Reid said that he's been up at the facility a few times this offseason. "We're all optimists because we know the kid and how bad he wants to be back. But at the same time, we just have to let it heal. Whenever he's back, he's back." We're just hoping to have some clarity on when he could be ready - Week 1? 4? 10? John Dorsey said he would play at some point this season.
CB Phillip Gaines returns to practice
He tore his ACL in Week 3 last year but was out there practicing in some fashion, according to Andy Reid. "Gaines practiced today," Reid said, "it was good to get him back out there, he had been somebody that had surgery, so it was nice to have him back out there." This is a nice development because he could be a starting corner this year. He's still young so these reps matter even if it's only individual drills and not team work.
RB Jamaal Charles sits out
He tore his ACL two weeks after Gaines but did not practice. Reid indicated training camp is more likely for him. He's an eight-year vet so don't worry about him missing OTAs. For what it's worth, Reid said he was doing "fantastic".
LB Tamba Hali sits out
He had his other knee done this offseason. Like Jamaal, he's a veteran. He doesn't need OTAs like others do. He will often sit out practices during the season too. Reid indicated training camp is more likely for him.
LB Justin March is back
He returned to the field after a microfracture injury during training camp last year. I'm really excited for him because he played well enough last offseason to see some first team reps. I think he can play if he's back and healthy from the injury.
WR Mike Williams has a strained hamstring
Remember he was signed this offseason. Reid said he had a hamstring strain and did not practice. I'll be curious to see when he can get in there. He has some talent but hasn't been able to put it together in the past few years.
Quarters system keeps CB Vernon Harris out
Not an injury but UDFA CB Vernon Harris went to Dartmouth, which is on the quarters system. Because of the NFL's weird rule with players not participating in OTAs until their class graduates, Harris will miss all of OTAs and come back for minicamp in June.