Andy Reid speaks as Kansas City Chiefs round out OTAs

Plenty of Chiefs don't practice, including Jamaal Charles

For the second consecutive day, Charles was absent from KC Chiefs OTAs. No word was given on why he was gone other than "personal reasons". Andy Reid said he was excused.

Two others missing were Jeff Allen and Phillip Gaines. Allen is getting married this weekend. I'm not sure why Gaines was absent. Reid also said that both players were excused.

Junior Hemingway hasn't practiced all week because he was "sick". Now we know what the Chiefs mean by "sick" -- strep throat. Reid said they wanted to keep him away from the building while he had that. With Hemingway and Dressler out, the Chiefs were down their top two slot receivers.

Chris Owens suffered a hamstring injury earlier this week and did not practice. He was one of four defensive backs missing so things looked different back there.

Weston Dressler did not participate due to a hamstring injury suffered earlier this week. Frankie Hammond Jr. saw more time at receiver with him out.

Brandon Flowers and Justin Houston remain out. They haven't attended any OTAs.

David Van Dyke remains out with a hamstring injury.

In good news, AJ Jenkins returned to practice this week after missing time with an injury.

Will Flowers and Houston show up for mandatory minicamp next week?

From June 17-19 next week, the Chiefs will host their mandatory minicamp. Everything up to this point has technically been voluntary. But players who miss mandatory minicamp are subject to fines.

Houston's absence is likely related to his contract, which is set to expire after the 2014 season. No word on why Flowers has been absent but he has posted social media pictures showing him working out so I'm guessing he's staying in shape.

We asked Reid today if he knew if they would show up next week and he said he did not know. So we'll see.

Travis Kelce and Kyle Williams could practice more next week

Kelce and Williams (along with Eric Fisher) have attended all the OTAs but they aren't fully participating. Reid said that both players could be doing a little bit more at next week's mandatory minicamp.

Both have long-term knee injuries they're overcoming -- Kelce with the microfracture surgery and Williams with the ACL tear last November.

I asked Reid if he still expected them for training camp and he said yes.

How long will Sean Smith remain on the second team?

"We'll see" was Reid's response. He said that the others in front of him are playing well.

As you know, Smith is normally a first team cornerback but he was demoted to the second team following his DUI arrest on Monday morning. He has been on the second team ever since with Ron Parker filling in for him.

Practice observations

• With the offense pushed up against their own goalline, Alex Smith threw an interception to Eric Berry, who returned it for six. This was right at the start of practice.
• Demetrius Harris had another nice catch (something we write every day). Smith found him 20-plus yard down the field in one-on-one coverage and Harris was able to pull it in.
• Another Harris play: He was so, so close to catching a touchdown and getting his feet in at the back of the end zone. But since I had a front row view for it, I can tell you his feet were out.
• Jeff Linkenbach stepped in at left guard with Jeff Allen out getting married.
• Chase Daniel floated a nice pass to Fred Williams, who could've broken it off for six in a real game.
• Speaking of floating it, Smith also floated a nice one to D-Bowe for a touchdown in goalline work.
• Bowe also ran the wrong route on a goalline play. He went out and Smith thought he was going in.
• Joe McKnight saw plenty of action today with Jamaal Charles out (as did Knile Davis). Besides a few nice plays, McKnight had a drop that stands out on a catchable ball.
• Must've been blown coverage but Anthony Fasano got wide open in the middle of the field today and Alex Smith had no problem finding him.

I have no shame in shoving my phone in someone's face and taking a picture.

Hey pic.twitter.com/7LBMD5aiSu

— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) June 13, 2014