Chiefs OTAs Offer Positive Injury Updates

Rice underwent knee surgery in October of last year to repair a torn ACL. His initial timetable to return to health was 10-12 months, so his movements here offer an optimistic outlook overall.

Reports have said Rice has no restrictions in workouts this week. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is liking what he's seeing from the young wideout.

"Yeah, he's looked good," Nagy said. "He's come back strong. He's been working hard to get to this point. Reminds me of last year, where he was going into this part of the year, where the second year, he just looks like he (is trending up)." 

The breakout star is expected to be a large part of the Chiefs offense once he is back on the field this season. Up until his injury in Week 4 of last year, he was leading the NFL with 24 receptions and was second in yards with 288.

Another positive injury update comes from Kansas City's first-round NFL Draft pick this offseason, Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons.

Simmons took a major step in his progression back from a patellar tendon injury suffered last college football season. The 6-5, 310-pounder was a full participant in team drills this week after being held to just individual work since the last time media was allowed at practice.

This is ahead of schedule, as the only indications to this point from head coach Andy Reid were that he expected Simmons to be a full go in 11-on-11 by training camp. These practices are intended to be very light on the body anyway, but progress is progress and Simmons is getting his feet wet nonetheless.

"Yeah, well the first thing, he came out of it really well," Offensive line coach Andy Heck said about Simmons' first team reps.

"First thing you can see is his explosive nature. I mean, everything he does is super quick. So we're working on fine-tuning techniques. He's able to do individual work within, you know, certain limits. So as we hone in on the techniques, we don't want to take away from his athleticism. That's one of his A-plus strengths."

Simmons filling the void at left tackle will be a major benefit to Mahomes' blindside protection as Kansas City traded veteran left tackle Joe Thuney this offseason.