4 takeaways from Chiefs HC Andy Reid’s Monday media availability – Yahoo Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for Week 1 of the regular season against the Cleveland Browns. While the players had the day off of practice on Monday after a clutch kick by Harrison Butker, Andy Reid was still in the office working hard. Reid kicked off his weekly media availability on Monday, providing updates on Tyrann Mathieu, rookie LB Nick Bolton and more.
Here are some quick takeaways from what Big Red had to say:
Tyrann Mathieu is still in the COVID-19 protocol
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Chiefs DB Tyrann Mathieu went on the Reserve/COVID-19 list last Wednesday following a positive test. Andy Reid did not have any updates on his status on Monday. He seemed optimistic that Mathieu would return in time to play on Sunday’s season opener against the Browns. “I don’t,” Reid said in regards to an update on Mathieu’s status for Sunday. “He’s still in the protocols. We just have to weigh that out and see where he’s at. I mean, I’ll know more as we go on.” Mathieu is reportedly vaccinated against COVID-19. He’ll need to test negative for the virus twice, 24 hours apart, in order to return to practice with his teammates in Kansas City. Reid later added that the team is “just about” 100% vaccinated.
An increased role for Nick Bolton with Willie Gay Jr. on IR
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
The Chiefs placed second-year linebacker Willie Gay Jr. on injured reserve last Thursday, for what is expected to be a short-term stay. With Gay sidelined for at least three weeks, the Chiefs will have to rely on their depth at the linebacker position to get by. Asked about whether we can expect to see more of rookie LB Nick Bolton, Andy Reid seemed to indicate the former Missouri Tiger would see more action in the absence of Gay. “Yeah, listen, Nick (Bolton) had a good preseason,” Reid said. “He’s worthy of stepping in there and he’ll get some playtime, yes, for sure.” The Chiefs also have veteran LBs Ben Niemann, Dorian O’Daniel and Darius Harris on the 53-man roster. While Bolton should organically see more snaps, I’d expect a variety of players to get looks in Gay’s absence.
On the Cleveland Browns ahead of Week 1
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
The Chiefs’ Week 1 opponent is a team they recently faced in the AFC’s divisional round of the playoffs. Andy Reid shared some thoughts on the differences between the Browns team that his guys will face in Week 1 and the team they faced back in January. “They’ve got a heck of a football team and they feel like they’ve made themselves better this offseason,” Reid said. “I can understand why. They’ve added a few people in the secondary and they’ve added (Jadeveon) Clowney upfront. The linebacker position is a little different and then offensively they’ve got a couple of guys back. So they’re pretty good football players. They’re fully loaded and they’re good and they’re well-coached. Kevin (Stefanski) has done a nice job up there.” Reid specifically mentioned Jadeveon Clowney by name. Clowney will join a fellow former No. 1 overall draft pick in Myles Garrett on the Browns’ defensive line. The duo should provide quite the test for the new offensive line in Kansas City. Players like Odell Beckham Jr. and Austin Hooper returning from injury for Cleveland’s offense will provide an equally difficult test for the Chiefs’ defense.
Updates on Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams
AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann
Chiefs RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams missed the preseason finale against the Vikings. Edwards-Helaire was nursing a “slight” ankle sprain. Williams was working through the NFL’s concussion protocol. It looks like the Chiefs will have both players ready and available to play during Week 1. Reid said both looked good during practice last week. “Yeah, so they practiced this past week and did a nice job with it,” Reid said. “It looked like they were moving around pretty good. So I think we’ll be OK there.” They’re obviously not quite out of the woods yet and will need to practice throughout the week leading up to the game. Should they both practice in full all week, there will be no questions on their status heading into the tilt with the Browns. [vertical-gallery id=98420]
1
1