Defenders Chris Jones, Frank Clark aren’t at the KC Chiefs’ voluntary OTAs. Here’s why
Neither defensive tackle Chris Jones nor defensive end Frank Clark have been observed on the field by reporters through two weeks of organized team activities.
The Chiefs, though, aren’t too concerned because of the voluntary nature of this current phase of the team’s offseason workout program.
“This is voluntary — this is not mandatory,” Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen said Thursday. “We’ve been in touch with both of those guys.”
Cullen said Jones and Clark are working out away from the team, and the position coach appreciates what he’ll have when the duo returns.
“Love the way they play and love what they’re all about,” said Cullen, who joined the Chiefs’ coaching staff during the offseason.
Jones and Clark can continue to work out on their own through the end of OTAs, but they will be required to be in attendance for the Chiefs’ mandatory minicamp on June 14-16.
For now, both are missing time with their new position coach and a first-round pick, defensive end George Karlaftis.
The duo’s absence has opened the door for others to gain additional repetitions. At defensive tackle, Taylor Stallworth has seen extra reps; at defensive end, reps that might have gone to Clark are going to veteran Mike Danna.
But Cullen didn’t seem worried. He knows what Jones and Clark can do.
Jones, who recorded a team-high nine sacks in 2021, is coming off a third straight Pro Bowl season and has tallied 25.5 total quarterback sacks in that span. Clark is also coming a third straight Pro Bowl appearance.
In Cullen’s eyes, the expectations for the upcoming season are high for Jones and Clark.
“I’ll tell you what, those are two of my favorite guys,” Cullen said. “I expect those guys to have career years and play the best they have in their careers. And if we do that, that will elevate the whole team and I expect that.”
PARTICIPATION REPORT
In addition to Clark and Jones, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, wide receiver Mecole Hardman (hamstring), wide receiver Daurice Fountain, right tackle Lucas Niang (knee), defensive tackle Cortez Broughton and cornerback Rashad Fenton (shoulder) were not observed on the practice field.
Because OTAs are voluntary, the Chiefs aren’t required to provide injury information, but head coach Andy Reid revealed that a handful of players are dealing with hamstring injuries.
“We got a couple of hamstrings and guys are fighting through that,” Reid said.
Mahomes’ absence on the practice field doesn’t come as a surprise. He partnered with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in a Wednesday night golf showcase against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady in Las Vegas.
Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. still hasn’t signed his franchise tender and was not on the practice field Thursday. He’s not under contract, so his absence was not expected.
OBSERVATIONS
The Chiefs’ media rules during OTAs prohibit the reporting of personnel groupings (first- or second- or third-team units), specific formations/alignments, trick plays, situational plays and statistics.
What is allowed, however, are general observations about head-turning and notable plays, such as:
• Rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore, the Chiefs’ second-round pick, appears to be on the road to recovery from a hamstring injury after mostly observing the on-field work during early May’s rookie minicamp and last week’s OTAs. Moore, who sported a sleeve on his left hamstring, was able to participate in individual position drills. He continued to watch off to the side during team drills.
• Rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Chiefs’ first of two first-round picks, made a pass breakup against wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling during team drills. McDuffie had tight coverage and knocked the ball away without touching the wide receiver.
• Wide receiver Justin Watson beat two defenders down the left sideline and snared a perfectly placed throw from quarterback Chad Henne for what would’ve been a touchdown. Henne drew all of Mahomes’ normal workload.
• Rookie cornerback Joshua Williams, the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick, recorded an impressive pass breakup during team drills by reaching around Henne’s intended receiver and knocking down the pass.
• Undrafted free agent cornerback Nasir Greer recorded a sliding interception near the left sideline during team drills off rookie quarterback Dustin Crum.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Defenders Chris Jones, Frank Clark aren’t at the KC Chiefs’ voluntary OTAs. Here’s why."
