Chiefs OTAs: Position battles, several players absent, Demetrius Harris out after foot surgery

There are a few things to know coming out of the Kansas City Chiefs first day of OTAs.

Chiefs TE Demetrius Harris had (another) foot surgery. Harris, who was not at practice, broke his foot last November. ESPN's Adam Teicher reports this was an additional surgery in May. The KC Star's Terez Paylor reports Andy Reid is optimistic that Harris will be back for training camp. This makes you think about the Chiefs depth at tight end as Harris is one of the players we talk about with the Chiefs two and three tight end sets. Rookie fifth round pick James O'Shaughnessy and Richard Gordon are a couple of the other names that come to mind. The Chiefs also recently signed former Packers TE Ryan Taylor. This will be a critical year for the post-Anthony Fasano Chiefs tight end group given the lack of experience.

Jeff Allen opens up at guard. The usual caveat that it is way too early to be making any judgments on starters BUT ... this note from Terez Paylor is pretty interesting: "When asked why Jeff Allen (RG) and Don Stephenson (RT) opened up with the first team, Reid said lots of guys will be rotated in." I'm guessing that, based on what Reid has said in the past, Allen will be competing at right tackle, too. Outside of left tackle (Eric Fisher) and left guard (Ben Grubbs) the Chiefs offensive line can go so many different ways. That said, I'd be fine with Allen at right guard and Big Don at right tackle.

Eric Kush opens at center. Again, way too early and all that but Sean Keeler reports that Kush started off at center but that Reid says they'll be rotating all of them.

Tamba Hali had his knee scoped. Tamba is 31 years old* so something like has to be concerning on some level but he is known for the work he puts in to take care of his body. The Chiefs were probably already planning on a more limited role for Tamba this year given his pay cut and Dee Ford's presence.

Tampa Hali says he had a scope on his knee this offseason to clean out some loose cartilage. Says he feels good.

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) May 26, 2015

*Yes, it's weird that 31 is considered "old" in the NFL

There were several players not present at Tuesday's practice. Per multiple reports, the following players were not present: Justin Houston, Allen Bailey, Husain Abdullah and Daniel Sorensen.

• Justin Houston: Obviously the contract stuff. Fox Sports Sean Keeler reports that Tamba Hali said Houston "wants to be here ... he's missing it."
• Allen Bailey: Reid said he was caught in the storm in the south. Last Sunday Bailey tweeted out a quick video of what appeared to be him heading home to Sapelo Island in Georgia.
• Husain Abdullah: Caught in the storm like Bailey.
• Daniel Sorensen: His wife is having a baby.

Positive report on Eric Berry. Reid said he has completed his treatments and is doing well.