ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles sounded off on the ineptness of his offensive line last season following Wednesday’s practice at Missouri Western State University.
Rarely one to speak out, the Pro Bowler acknowledged the hodge-podge of players the Chiefs had block for him was a big reason why he was less productive last season. Continue reading “Chiefs’ Charles laments ‘rough’ offensive line last season”
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive tackle Mike DeVito, both coming back from season-ending injuries, were among the veterans reporting to training camp Friday.
This is generally a loathsome period for veterans, with insufferable practices in heat often topping triple digits. But Johnson and DeVito wore broad grins on their faces as they ambled up the pathway to Scanlon Hall at Missouri Western State University.
Johnson’s season ended before halftime of last season’s opener when he ruptured his Achilles tendon with nobody near him. He remains 15 tackles away from breaking the franchise record.
Eight plays later, DeVito went down with the same injury at nearly the same spot on the field. And without him on the line, the Chiefs struggled all season to defend the run.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry has been cleared by the Kansas City Chiefs’ medical staff and his doctors to return to the practice field after undergoing treatment for lymphoma.
The Chiefs said in a brief statement late Tuesday that Berry would join quarterbacks, rookies and injured players in the first day of training camp Wednesday at Missouri Western.
Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease last December, shortly after complaining of pain in his chest following a game against Oakland. He was treated at Emory University in Atlanta and went through the final round of it in June.
Berry underwent a battery of tests Tuesday, when rookies and select veterans reported to training camp. He was cleared to take the field late in the day.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe will miss all of training camp and could miss part of the season after the Pro Bowl run-stuffer had surgery last week on his ailing back.
Poe first hurt his back during offseason workouts, but coach Andy Reid said Tuesday that he aggravated the injury training at home. Poe was diagnosed with a herniated disc and had surgery July 15, and trainer Rick Burkholder said he will be out indefinitely.
Poe is coming off his second straight Pro Bowl. The 6-foot-3, 346-pound tackle had a career-best six sacks last season while anchoring the middle of the Chiefs defensive line.
Reid said that Jaye Howard will take over his position in training camp, though Mike DeVito and sixth-round pick Rakeem Nunez-Roches could also compete for time.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have waived defensive back Justin Cox, who was charged with domestic assault, burglary and trespassing for an incident that occurred Monday in Starkville, Mississippi.
Cox was being held on $40,433 bond. The case is still under investigation.
This is the second time in the past year that Cox has been arrested for an incidence of domestic violence, though the previous charge was ultimately dropped. Cox instead pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of trespassing in January.
Cox signed with the Chiefs after going undrafted out of Mississippi State, in part because of his off-the-field issues. He was suspended the final three games last year after his arrest.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe walked gingerly off the Chiefs’ practice field Tuesday with back pain, and linebacker Derrick Johnson sat out with inflammation in his knee.
The Chiefs were getting back to work with the second week of organized team activities when Poe walked off the field. A team spokesman did not say how long he might be out.
Johnson worked out last week. He missed nearly all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon.
Wide receiver Chris Conley was back on the field after missing time last week to attend the NFL’s rookie premier, while linebacker Justin Houston remained absent from the voluntary workouts after getting the franchise tag earlier this offseason.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs kicked off the third phase of the offseason workout program Tuesday with the first set of voluntary organized team activities, with nine players missing.
The biggest name absent from the practice field didn’t come as a surprise.
All-Pro outside linebacker Justin Houston, who has yet to sign a non-exclusive franchise tender, was not present as he seeks a long-term contract. The 26-year-old Houston also did not report April 20 for the start of the offseason workout program, following the same path he took in 2014 while entering the final year of his contract.
That missed time a year ago didn’t hurt Houston, who went on to a third straight Pro Bowl selection after establishing a franchise-record and league-high 22 sacks.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs and team president Mark Donovan have agreed to a contract extension.
Terms of the deal, announced Tuesday, were not disclosed.
Donovan spent six years with the Eagles before joining the Chiefs as their chief operating officer in 2009. He was promoted to president two years later.
Donovan has been instrumental in updating the fan experience at Arrowhead Stadium, creating new membership programs, implementing new technology and building the season-ticket base. He has also helped to bring several events to the Chiefs’ stadium, including numerous college football games and concerts involving the Rolling Stones and Kenny Chesney.
Before joining the Eagles, Donovan spent several years working as the NFL’s senior director of sales and marketing. He also worked for the NHL and in the private sector.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey says he’s spoken to representatives of All-Pro linebacker Justin Houston “in the last three days” as the sides negotiate a long-term contract.
Speaking in advance of next week’s draft, Dorsey said Friday that the lines of communication remain open with Houston, who has been given the franchise tag but has yet to sign his tender.
The Chiefs began discussing a deal with Houston prior to last season, but were unable to come to an agreement. Houston then broke Derrick Thomas’s franchise record with 22 sacks last season, a virtuoso performance that sent his value soaring.
Houston has not reported to the Chiefs for their voluntary offseason workouts, which began on Monday. He has posted videos of himself working out independently on Twitter.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A food safety manager at Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums in Kansas City says he was fired after complaining about dirty conditions.
Jon Costa shared with ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” a letter that he said came from his former employer, Aramark. The March 17 letter said Costa was being fired “for cause” for several reasons, including that he violated the company’s media policy by taking his concerns public.
ESPN says Costa’s complaints prompted a Nov. 3 inspection that found violations at 20 out of 26 food stands. The stadiums later passed a follow-up inspection.
Aramark said in a written statement that it considers personnel matters confidential. It added that food safety is “a top priority.” Costa’s attorney, Ryan McClelland, didn’t immediately return phone or email messages from The Associated Press.
