Kansas City Chiefs OTA report: Junior Hemingway absent, new first team candidates

With the rain in Kansas City today, the Chiefs practiced in their practice bubble. Which means it wasn't too hot for me ... and my comfort is really what it's all about, right?

Who got first team snaps?

A couple of new players in the observations of the first team snaps. CB Ron Parker stepped in at cornerback which dropped CB Sean Smith out. Parker came to the Chiefs last year on the waiver wire weekend but only saw limited action last season. He's one of those players who will be pushing for playing time this season. Parker had a couple of nice pass break-ups during team drills today. The Chiefs will try different things like this in the offseason.

Update: This may be why Sean Smith wasn't on the first team. He was arrested for DUI.

CB Chris Owens was lining up at the nickel but he ended up walking off during practice, apparently with some sort of injury, though I don't know for sure. He was replaced by CB Malcolm Bronson for most of the time.

RG Zach Fulton and RT Jeff Linkenbach saw some first team snaps. They were behind RG Rishaw Johnson and RT J'Marcus Webb (who is filling in for RT Donald Stephenson, who is filling in for LT Eric Fisher).

DE Allen Bailey continues to get first team snaps at defensive end, which is a bit of a surprise with the offseason free agent signing of Vance Walker.

Players who did not practice

TE Travis Kelce, WR Kyle Williams and OT Eric Fisher were present but not practicing fully due to their injuries. They'll work on some individual stuff but won't be on the field during team or 11-on-11 work.

CB Chris Owens walked off the field gingerly in the middle of practice. Not sure what happened to him.

WR AJ Jenkins: He had a hamstring injury a while back so we're still awaiting his return.

WR Junior Hemingway: Not sure where he was.

LB Ben Johnson: He has a hamstring injury.

CB David Van Dyke: He continues to come back from an injury suffered last week.

RB De'Anthony Thomas: He can't practice until Oregon is done with its school years. He will be out all this week but back for the mandatory minicamp next week.

CB Brandon Flowers: Yeah, you know he's not here.

LB Justin Houston: Him either.

Mike Catapano looks bigger

The Chiefs DE is running with the second team. He is noticeably bigger from last year. It's not often that you can tell when these guys who are already really big put on weight but it's obvious with Catapano. That's a good sign for him. Good teams hit on some late round picks and turning him into a regular contributor on the defensive line would be a big win.

Related: Is Catapano a diamond in the rough or just a guy?

Here's Mike Catapano if you have been wondering about the bulking up reports. Can I get his trainer's plan? #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/wvKT487g8P

— Nick Jacobs (@Jacobs71) June 10, 2014

Play of the day

Not many spectacular plays out there today but WR Darryl Surgent had a couple of nice grabs. One came from QB Alex Smith, who threw a deep route to the sidelines. The corner in coverage knocked the ball up in the air but Surgent was able to haul it in as he fell to the ground. Another one came from a high pass from QB Tyler Bray where Surgent climbed the ladder to bring it in.

More observations

• WR Weston Dressler continues to get looks as a return man. That could be key to him making the roster.
• Smith went deep to Dressler on one play but it was just out of reach.
• Smith also went deep to WR Frankie Hammond Jr., who dove for the ball but couldn't haul it in.
• RB Jamaal Charles vs. S Eric Berry in coverage ... that's a fun one.
• TE Demetrius Harris had a fingertip grab over the middle.
• WR Albert Wilson, the undrafted free agent, had several nice grabs. He seems a step above some of the other younger players.