The Kansas City Chiefs began Organized Team Activities (OTAs) practices on Tuesday. While the first two days were closed practices, Thursday's OTA session was open to the media. Therefore, the first official attendance report for OTAs is out and some big names were absent.
According to Mick Shaffer, Travis Kelce, Trey Smith, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown were all absent from practice. While having all the starters present during the first session of OTAs is optimal, it's not always a reality. That said, head coach Andy Reid provided an update on a specific player's absence as well as a general reason players were missing.
Notable absences from voluntary OTAs today: Travis Kelce, Trey Smith, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown. pic.twitter.com/UTiUprcZvz
— Mick Shaffer (@mickshaffer) May 29, 2025
4 Chiefs Starters Absent on First Public OTA Practice
There are many reasons why players may miss an OTA practice, including injury, health (illness), family matters, and contract disputes. Thankfully, it seems that most of the absences are tied to being sick.
According to Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports, Reid provided that illness was a reason for Rice's absence. Reid said, "Rice is one of the players who is under the weather right now, so they asked him to stay home because they don't want him to get anyone else sick." He added that Rice is making progress with his knee injury.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid says WR Rashee Rice is one of the players who is under the weather right now. They asked him to stay home this week because they don't want him to get anyone else sick. Says he's making progress with the knee injury.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) May 29, 2025
Furthermore, Reid told reporters that there are a few others who are also under the weather. While he didn't specify which players those were, it's safe to assume Kelce and Brown are also likely sick.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid says there are a few players who were under the weather and not at practice today as a result, but notes these OTAs are voluntary.
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) May 29, 2025
Although Kelce could have been tending to other issues, which he has the right to do given his age and accomplishments, it's not like him to skip OTAs. In Brown's case, the only logical explanation for his absence would be an illness, since he needs as much time with Mahomes after missing the majority of 2024 with an injury.
Smith, on the other hand, could be missing OTAs due to his contract. Despite the most expensive franchise tag for a left guard being placed on him, he's still looking for a long-term deal. Though a holdout doesn't seem like Smith's style, that may be what's happening.
Nevertheless, hopefully, each one of these players is back on the field when the Chiefs start their second round of OTAs on June 2.