Chiefs Get Good News After Training Camp Injury Scare

Good fortune smiled on the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, July 27, after key draft pick Omarr Norman-Lott limped off the practice field with an injury at training camp.

Norman-Lott had been getting a lot of attention as one of the fastest-rising members of the Chiefs’ roster, playing alongside Chris Jones on the first-team defensive line throughout the early days of summer. So, needless to say, a major injury to the rookie second-rounder could have been disastrous to KC’s plans on the defensive side.

Having said that, Norman-Lott’s “ankle” injury was just a “tweak,” according to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

“[Norman-Lott] tweaked his ankle just a little bit, yeah,” Reid told reporters after practice. He also added that the rookie “came back” to practice, hinting that he’s expected to be fine going forward.

Chiefs starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor and rookie tight end Tre Watson both returned to practice on July 27, too, so Kansas City is getting healthier with this potential Norman-Lott crisis seemingly averted.

Omarr Norman-Lott’s Immediate First-Team Reps Called ‘Biggest Surprise’ of Chiefs Training Camp

While fielding mailbag questions on July 26, A-to-Z Sports Kansas City’s Nick Roesch referred to Norman-Lott’s immediate trust and emergence as the “biggest surprise” of Chiefs training camp so far.

“When a team is returning so many veterans like the Chiefs are, there aren’t a ton of surprises,” Roesch began. “A couple of mild ones come to mind, though, starting with the amount of reps rookie Omarr Norman-Lott has gotten as the starting defensive tackle next to Chris Jones.”

“Mike Pennel will certainly be in the mix, but Norman-Lott could end up being the main guy there,” the KC reporter added.

Entering training camp, many covering the Chiefs still believed that they might need to sign another veteran defensive tackle to compete with Pennel for the starting job. The assumption was that Norman-Lott wouldn’t be ready to log immediate impact snaps, but here we are.

If the rookie can prove that he can handle an early-down role, at least part-time alongside Pennel, he should have no trouble taking over on pass-rushing downs. That type of snap percentage would make Norman-Lott a year-one starter.Chiefs’ Standout Rookie TE Jake Briningstool Sidelined Again on Sunday

There was one other injury that popped up on Sunday, and it will be one to monitor in the coming days.

Chiefs’ standout rookie tight end Jake Briningstool was not practicing with a large compression sleeve on one leg. Remember, Briningstool also sat out minicamp with an injury before returning for training camp, so something is going on there.

Reid labeled the reason for Briningstool’s absence as a “hamstring strain” after practice.

Aside from Briningstool, new cornerback Kristian Fulton remains on the PUP list after undergoing knee surgery this offseason. Reid clarified that Fulton’s surgery was a “clean-up” operation on July 27.

It remains to be seen when Fulton and Briningstool will retake the field at Chiefs training camp. Reid was not willing to provide a recovery timeline on either of the two injuries.

Fulton signed a two-year, $20 million contract this spring, so Kansas City has big plans for the veteran CB. Briningstool, on the other hand, is still competing to make the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie.