Cyrus Allen remains sidelined as 5 key takeaways emerge from Chiefs' first padded practice of training camp

The Kansas City Chiefs capped off their first padded practice of the offseason, in the team's fifth training camp bout. After a rest day on Sunday and four days of light practice installs, it was all hands on deck for head coach Andy Reid's squad as the Chiefs look to bounce back from a poor 6-11 season.

Today marks just 12 more sleeps until the Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Rams in the first preseason game on Aug. 15 in Arrowhead. Kansas City, after today, has just nine more practices before then and will return to St. Joseph, Missouri, for their last four.

Reid addressed Chiefs media members today at the podium, along with interactions from RG Trey Smith, DB Chamarri Conner, and DE George Karlaftis. All gave insight into where each of them stands and how they feel KC is stacking up so far, with roughly a month and a half until the Week 1 showdown versus the division rival Denver Broncos.

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid spoke to the media after Monday's padded practice

1. Eric Bieniemy's return remains uncertain

Reid made sure to address the Eric Bieniemy situation and when the offensive coordinator is expected back.

"On the Eric Bieniemy side of it, Mia [Bieniemy] is doing better; she keeps improving by the day, so that's a positive. There's no timetable on EB coming back, so he just needs to take care of business there, and when he gets back here, he gets back here."

From a fan perspective, and I'm sure from a Patrick Mahomes perspective, it sucks not having such a commanding voice out there on the field. But it's clear that Bieniemy is dealing with, as Reid said a few days ago, "real life," which takes precedence over football.

2. Patrick Mahomes steadily improving from torn ACL

Over the Chiefs' first four days of camp, Mahomes was wearing a large brace on his left leg, as a precautionary measure, something he cited as not unusual to him, as he wore a similar type brace in college.

However, in today's practice, Mahomes seemed to have shed the large, overbearing contraption and opted for a smaller brace that would fit under his socks and leg sleeve. This doesn't tell us much other than perhaps he is mentally getting stronger, along with the physical. Because as most athletes will tell you, coming back from a major injury is as much mental as it is physical, and it's a good sign that Mahomes is beginning to feel a little more comfortable putting some pressure on his surgically repaired leg.

3. Reid welcomes the RT battle between veteran Jaylon Moore and UDFA Kahlil Benson

Perhaps the most intriguing two-man battle so far in camp has been right tackle. While the job was seemingly in Jaylon Moore's control, UDFA Kahlil Benson out of Indiana has continuously performed well and taken first-team reps from Moore in the handful of Chiefs practices. When asked what the key is to determining the right way to approach the battle, Reid encouraged the competition.

"I think you let them compete and just see where it goes. Both of them can play, I think. We just have a young guy that we haven't seen do much, but he's got some talent, so let's see where that goes. And Moore keeps battling; he's had a couple good days too. We'll need all of them; that's how it goes."

4. WR depth remains a concern

Third-year man Xavier Worthy was held out of practice today after suffering a shoulder sprain in Saturday's practice. The same shoulder he had surgery on this past offseason after colliding with Travis Kelce on a route in Week 1 versus the Chargers in 2025. Reid dubbed it a "shoulder sprain" and said that "it'll be a few days" before Worthy returns to action

Rookie wideout Cyrus Allen avoided serious injury after knocking knees with CB Kaiir Elam on a special teams play Saturday, and reportedly suffered a bone bruise on his shin area. Reid said Allen is considered day-to-day and that they just have to get the swelling down.

Tragedy avoided, sure. But if today's practice is any indication of what the Chiefs' starting receivers look like if any starter misses any time at all, dare I say this receiving core could be worse than it was a year ago. Jalen Royals remains a no-show, Nikko Remigio is a special teams returner, and Tyquan Thornton is a downfield specialist, not a guy who can be relied upon to continuously move the chains.

2025 UDFA Andrew Armstrong has emerged as an interesting candidate to fill the void, and Reid spoke highly of him today. "Pat's got trust there, so I think that's a plus. Big target, strong, so I like that part of it." Reid also noted that Armstrong has carried some of the momentum from the rookie minicamp over to training camp.

5. Peter Woods is the real deal

By all accounts rookie defensive tackle Peter Woods absolutely shined in one-on-one pass rushing reps today, as he continues to build an impressive training camp resume. The former Clemson standout dropped to the Chiefs at pick 29 and will be relied upon to provide some major value this season and beyond. Reid seemed infatuated with Woods when asked about him today.

"I like what I've seen. He's an explosive kid; he's learning, he's smart. Trying to hone in on some of these techniques we're asking him to do. Like his effort, so he's got a ways to go, but you sure like the tools and the effort and how smart he is."

That's about as glowing a report a rookie could ever receive from a guy like Reid, who is always very mellow in his praise. Chiefs right guard Trey Smith, who has had to go up against Woods constantly, also shared similar sentiments, which hopefully come to bear fruit as soon as this year, as the Chiefs could desperately use some help alongside Chris Jones on the interior.

"Peter is really talented man," Smith said. "Sky's the limit for him, in terms of hand utilization, speed, power; he's sort of the full package type guy. He's young, and he's figuring out the game, but he has a willingness to learn, and I really, really enjoyed the way he's stepped into this program, this organization, and how he's trying to turn himself into a great player. Definitely has an outstanding future ahead of him."

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