Kansas City Chiefs news

Chiefs end a six-game road skid, beat Dolphins 24-10 to reach 3-0

Kansas City's first road win in nearly two years ties Las Vegas atop the division; Patrick Mahomes passed Joe Montana on the all-time touchdown list during the game.

Josh Simmons out with a back injury; Chiefs lean on elevations

Losing starting LT Simmons and DB Chamarri Conner forced backups into extended action against Miami.

Kansas City and Las Vegas both sit 3-0, setting up the real AFC West race this month.

Chiefs Stay Unbeaten, Throttle Dolphins 24-10 in First Road Test

Kansas City's defense carried a 3-0 start on the road, with Patrick Mahomes tying Tom Brady's win total through 150 career games.

Chiefs Played Without Starting LT Josh Simmons as Practice-Squad Pieces Stepped Up

With Simmons out and a Sunday-morning downgrade at safety, Kansas City leaned on two practice-squad call-ups to stay unbeaten.

Offensive-line patchwork (Simmons out) as Kansas City chases a 4-0 start

Chiefs' Josh Simmons ruled out, Chamarri Conner doubtful ahead of first road trip

LT Josh Simmons (back, dating to training camp) is out and S Chamarri Conner is doubtful as unbeaten Kansas City takes its first true road trip of the season, to Miami.

Local panel: Chiefs 'have their swagger back' heading into Dolphins road test

A KCTV staff panel unanimously picked Kansas City to win at Miami, grading the offense highly while flagging special teams and penalties as the areas to watch.

Simmons' back injury and a first true road trip test whether Kansas City's 2-0 form travels.

Unbeaten Chiefs hit the road for the first time, facing Dolphins in Miami

Kansas City's early identity as AFC West pacesetter faces its first true road test of the year, with four of its next five games away from Arrowhead.

Unbeaten Chiefs face their first true road test of the season in Miami.

Chiefs Injury Report: Simmons Sits, Delane Returns Ahead of Dolphins Trip

Left tackle Josh Simmons did not practice Wednesday with a back injury as Kansas City prepares for its first road game of the season, at Miami. Cornerback Mansoor Delane returned to full practice, while several other starters were limited.

Chiefs Hit the Road for the First Time in 2026, Unbeaten at 2-0

Kansas City heads to Miami still undefeated, with head coach Andy Reid addressing the club's injury situation and the passing game's focus on Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice during Wednesday's media session.

Kenneth Walker III's Breakout Is Reshaping the Chiefs' Offense

Walker rushed for 117 yards in Kansas City's overtime win over Indianapolis, the first Chiefs player since 2005 with consecutive 175-plus scrimmage-yard games, giving Patrick Mahomes' offense a new dimension through two games.

Kansas City's first road trip of the season tests a 2-0 start.

Kenneth Walker's emergence is changing how defenses game-plan for KC.

Travis Kelce becomes NFL's all-time yards-after-catch leader

Kelce passed Marshall Faulk for the record during Sunday night's win over Indianapolis, finishing with 9 catches, 101 yards and a TD. Now has 39 career 100-yard games, extending his own NFL record.

Chiefs outlast Colts 33-30 in OT to start 2-0

Patrick Mahomes went 32-of-47 for 382 yards and 3 TDs and is now 8-0 in regular-season overtime games. Harrison Butker's 40-yard field goal in OT won it. RB Kenneth Walker III leads the NFL with 369 scrimmage yards through two games.

Travis Kelce keeps rewriting the record book as the Chiefs open 2-0 for the second straight year.

Travis Kelce becomes NFL's all-time yards-after-catch leader as Chiefs escape with 33-30 OT win

Kelce passed Marshall Faulk for the all-time YAC record and posted his 39th career 100-yard game in Kansas City's overtime win over Indianapolis.

Kenneth Walker III piles up 117 total yards, sets career missed-tackle mark in win over Colts

Walker forced 15 missed tackles, breaking his own Week 1 mark, and leads the NFL with 369 scrimmage yards through two games in his first two contests with Kansas City.

Overturned fumble call, Harrison Butker field goal decide Chiefs' OT win over Colts

Officials overturned an initial catch-and-fumble ruling on a 48-yard Colts pass in overtime before Butker's 40-yard field goal won it; Patrick Mahomes improved to 8-0 in regular-season overtime games.

Kansas City is 2-0 via consecutive tight primetime wins; the Chiefs' overtime résumé under Mahomes is now 8-0.

Chiefs survive Colts 33-30 in OT to open 2-0

Kansas City erased three separate deficits at Arrowhead; Patrick Mahomes threw for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Travis Kelce's 101-yard, 1-TD day gave him an NFL-record 39th career 100-yard game as the Chiefs won in overtime.

Chiefs' O-line and secondary depth tested as Simmons, Conner sit out again vs. Colts

Rookie LT Josh Simmons (back) and DB Chamarri Conner (knee) missed a second straight game; UDFA Kahlil Benson started again at left tackle while veteran Kristian Fulton, pressed into extended snaps, intercepted Daniel Jones.

Chiefs' offensive line/secondary depth (Simmons, Conner) remains a question mark despite 2-0.

Chris Jones, Mansoor Delane questionable; Chamarri Conner, Josh Simmons out for Chiefs-Colts

DB Conner (knee) and T Simmons (back) are out; DT Chris Jones (calf) and rookie CB Delane (shoulder) are questionable as Kansas City (1-0) hosts Indianapolis Sunday night.

Chiefs ride Kenneth Walker's 173-yard debut into Sunday-night showdown with Colts

Fresh off a 31-10 rout of Denver, KC hosts Indianapolis with first place in the AFC West already in hand; Walker's 173-yard debut was the most rushing yards by a Chiefs back in a Mahomes start.

Kenneth Walker's breakout debut raises the question of how the carries split evolves as Kansas City chases 2-0.

Chiefs ride Week 1 momentum into second straight primetime game vs. Colts

Kansas City (1-0) hosts Indianapolis (0-1) at Arrowhead Sunday night; it's the first meeting since KC's overtime win last November, and Chiefs legend Derrick Johnson will be inducted into the Ring of Honor at halftime.

Rookie CB Mansoor Delane has 'pretty good chance' to play Colts despite Week 1 shoulder injury

KC's sixth overall pick intercepted a pass on his third career defensive snap before re-injuring his shoulder; X-rays were negative and he practiced Wednesday. LB Cooper McDonald was placed on IR with a designation to return.

Delane's shoulder status is the injury item to watch as Kansas City looks to start 2-0.

Chiefs get promising word on rookie CB Mansoor Delane ahead of Colts primetime game

Coach Andy Reid said the No. 6 overall pick has a 'pretty good chance' to play Sunday night after a shoulder injury ended his three-snap debut (which included an interception); LT Josh Simmons and S Chamarri Conner also remain limited.

Chiefs to induct LB Derrick Johnson into Ring of Honor at halftime of Colts game

Johnson, Kansas City's all-time leader in tackles and a four-time Pro Bowler, will be inducted at halftime Sunday and will also serve as pregame Drum Honoree, with a military flyover and the NFL Players Choir as part of the ceremony.

Chiefs name Phoenix Family as 2027 Charity Game beneficiary

The KC-based anti-poverty nonprofit, which serves 5,700 people daily, will benefit from the 43rd annual Chiefs Charity Game; the team has raised more than $16 million for local causes since 1985.

Report: Tyreek Hill 'remains fond' of Chiefs as reunion talk builds

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Hill, recovering from a severe knee injury suffered last September, could be ready to play around October, with his agent saying an in-season signing with Kansas City is plausible.

Mansoor Delane's shoulder is the injury to watch in the secondary as Kansas City hosts Indianapolis on Sunday night.

A Tyreek Hill reunion remains speculative but is quickly becoming the Chiefs' biggest offseason-adjacent storyline of Week 2.

Chiefs' Mansoor Delane has 'pretty good chance' to play vs. Colts

The first-round CB intercepted Bo Nix on his third career snap before exiting Week 1 hurt; X-rays were negative and he returned to practice Wednesday.

Kenneth Walker III named AFC Player of the Week after 173-yard debut

Walker's 173 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his first game as a Chief was the best rushing day by a Kansas City back since Jamaal Charles in 2012.

Chiefs list DB Chamarri Conner, T Josh Simmons as DNP ahead of Colts

Conner (knee) and Simmons (back) did not practice Wednesday; DT Chris Jones was limited with a calf issue.

Mansoor Delane's shoulder is trending toward clearance for Sunday night.

Kenneth Walker III's explosive Chiefs debut sets an early-season standard.

Kenneth Walker III, Patrick Mahomes power Chiefs past Broncos 31-10 in season-opening win

Walker had 191 yards from scrimmage and 2 TDs including a 60-yard run; Mahomes, in his first game back from ACL/LCL surgery, opened with a rushing TD; Kelce passed Witten for 2nd-most receiving yards by a TE ever.

Chiefs' rookie CB Mansoor Delane, LB Cooper McDonald both ruled out with injuries in opener

Delane (shoulder) intercepted Bo Nix on Denver's first drive before exiting; McDonald (knee) also left the game.

Kansas City's rookie secondary and linebacker depth after two Week 1 injuries.

Kenneth Walker's 173-yard debut, returning Mahomes power Chiefs' 31-10 rout of Broncos

New KC back Kenneth Walker III rushed 23 times for a career-high 173 yards and 2 TDs as Kansas City ran for 220 yards, its most since 2020; Patrick Mahomes, nine months removed from knee surgery, scored on a 15-yard scramble and threw for 184 yards and 2 TDs in his return.

Rookie CB Mansoor Delane's promising debut cut short by shoulder injury

Delane, KC's No. 6 overall pick, intercepted a pass on the third play of the game before re-aggravating a shoulder injury that had already cost him camp time; coach Andy Reid said the injury would be evaluated. LB Cooper McDonald also left with a knee injury.

Kenneth Walker's franchise-best rushing debut signals a run-first shift for Reid's offense.

Rookie CB Mansoor Delane's shoulder injury clouds a promising pick-six-adjacent debut.

Chiefs rule out Conner and Simmons for Mahomes' season-opening return

Safety Chamarri Conner and left tackle Josh Simmons are both out for Monday night's game against Denver, forcing lineup changes as Patrick Mahomes returns from a torn ACL.

Undrafted rookie Khalil Benson to protect Mahomes' blindside

With Simmons out, an undrafted rookie who wasn't invited to the combine will face Denver's Nik Bonitto in his first extended NFL action.

Chiefs poured first four 2026 draft picks into defense after losing season

Kansas City's front office spent its top four picks entirely on defense following the team's first losing season since 2012.

Patrick Mahomes' first game back from a torn ACL comes with two starters already ruled out.

Kansas City's defense-heavy draft class faces its first real test against Denver's passing attack.

Mahomes set to return Monday night, nine months after ACL/LCL tear

Patrick Mahomes' first game action since a season-ending knee injury comes against Denver, exactly nine months to the day from the injury, after Kansas City's first losing season since 2012.

Chiefs rule out Chamarri Conner, Josh Simmons for Broncos opener

Kansas City will be without its starting safety and starting left tackle, forcing undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson into pass-protection duty for Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes' return, nine months after ACL/LCL surgery, is the defining Chiefs storyline entering Monday.

An undrafted rookie protecting Mahomes' blind side is a line-continuity watch with Josh Simmons out.

Chris Jones added to Chiefs' injury report with calf issue day before opener

Jones was a limited participant Friday with a calf injury after not appearing on Thursday's report.

Josh Simmons, Chamarri Conner held out of practice again Friday

Projected starting LT Simmons (back) and safety Conner (knee) were non-participants Thursday and Friday ahead of the Denver opener.

Mahomes says return from knee surgery 'has always been the goal'

Mahomes is slated to start Monday's opener against Denver as he returns from offseason knee surgery.

Chiefs detail fan logistics for Monday night home opener at Arrowhead

Kansas City vs. Denver, presented by T-Mobile, kicks off 7:15 p.m. CDT at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chris Jones' calf is worth tracking through the final injury report.

An undrafted-rookie question mark at left tackle could shape Monday's pass rush battle.

A healthy Mahomes against a shorthanded Denver secondary makes this an early swing game.

Chiefs' first injury report of 2026: Simmons, Conner out ahead of Mahomes' return

LT Josh Simmons and S Chamarri Conner were non-participants Thursday as Kansas City preps for Patrick Mahomes's first regular-season start since his ACL/LCL tear, hosting Denver Monday night.

Patrick Mahomes's first regular-season start since his ACL/LCL tear.

Josh Simmons's and Chamarri Conner's absences from practice.

Reid: Mahomes has "pretty good chance" to start opener; Simmons likely out at LT

Patrick Mahomes has practiced daily since camp opened but played no preseason snaps as he completes recovery from December ACL/LCL surgery; undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson is set to start at left tackle in Josh Simmons' place.

Chiefs open final Arrowhead seasons as $3B Legends stadium planning ramps up

Team president Mark Donovan said leadership is meeting daily on the roughly $3 billion Legends-district stadium project ahead of a planned 2031 move, with five seasons left at Arrowhead.

Patrick Mahomes' return from ACL/LCL surgery and an undrafted rookie at left tackle headline Monday's opener.

The Chiefs' Legends-district stadium planning accelerates as the team enters its final Arrowhead seasons.

Reid: Mahomes 'likely' to start opener; 'good chance' LT Josh Simmons sits

Kansas City's two-time MVP quarterback is expected back from offseason knee surgery for the Monday-night opener against Denver, while a rookie-contract left tackle may miss it with a back injury.

Mahomes' return from major knee surgery and a patched left tackle spot headline the opener.

Arrowhead Stadium enters its final stretch of games ahead of Chiefs' 2031 move to Kansas

With roughly 40 games remaining before the franchise's new Kansas stadium opens in 2031, this retrospective marks the countdown as the Chiefs open the season at Arrowhead.

Arrowhead Stadium begins its final seasons before the 2031 move to Kansas

Chiefs claim two defensive linemen off waivers, round out practice squad

Using a top-10 waiver priority (a byproduct of a 6-11 2025), Kansas City added DE Jack Pyburn and DT Bryson Eason to patch defensive-line depth.

Mahomes on track to start Week 1 vs. Broncos despite zero preseason snaps

Mahomes, who didn't play a single preseason snap after December knee surgery, is expected to start as the Chiefs also manage line injuries to Josh Simmons and Trey Smith.

Retrospective marks Arrowhead's numbered seasons before a planned 2031 Kansas move

With roughly 40 games left at the current stadium, KCTV5 frames the season opener against the historic backdrop of Arrowhead's eventual replacement.

Mahomes returning from knee surgery with zero preseason reps is the swing factor for Week 1.

O-line injuries (Simmons, Smith) are the quiet worry behind the QB storyline.

Mahomes on track to start Chiefs' opener vs. Denver despite missing every preseason snap

Mahomes, recovering from December knee surgery, played in zero 2026 preseason games by design. LT Josh Simmons remained out of practice with a back injury, pushing reps to rookie Kahlil Benson and Jaylon Moore.

Trey Smith: Chiefs must 'reclaim the standard' up front after a down season

Smith said last season 'felt different' for a locker room used to Super Bowl runs; he is playing through a camp hip injury. LT Josh Simmons again missed practice with a back injury.

Left tackle spot still unsettled behind Simmons' back injury.

Mahomes trending toward Week 1 start despite zero preseason snaps.

Mahomes on track to start Week 1 vs. Broncos; Chiefs shuffle O-line amid injuries

Mahomes worked with the first team all camp without playing a preseason snap after December knee surgery; LT Josh Simmons (back) remains out, with Benson/Moore filling in.

Trey Smith says Chiefs must 'reclaim the standard' up front ahead of opener vs. Broncos

RG Trey Smith is playing through a hip injury and framed last season as a departure from the team's Super Bowl-era standard.

Chiefs claim two defensive linemen off waivers, sign 12 to practice squad

KC claimed DT Bryson Eason and DE Jack Pyburn off waivers as part of a 12-player practice squad build-out.

Mahomes on track for Week 1 after skipping all of preseason following knee surgery.

O-line shuffling as Simmons (back) remains out, with Benson/Moore filling in.

Trey Smith playing through a hip injury as Chiefs look to 'reclaim the standard.'

Chiefs set 53-man roster, waive veteran reserve QB Oladokun

Kansas City kept three quarterbacks (Mahomes, Fields, Nussmeier) in its initial 53, terminated DE Emmanuel Ogbah's contract, and placed DT Omarr Norman-Lott on PUP to open the season.

Chiefs use top-10 waiver priority to claim two D-linemen

A day after cutdowns, Kansas City used its high waiver priority — a product of a 6-11 2025 season — to claim DE Jack Pyburn (Tampa Bay) and DT Bryson Eason (San Francisco), while re-signing veteran Emmanuel Ogbah to the practice squad.

Rookie R Mason Thomas gets first NFL sack, praised by Mahomes

Second-round pass rusher R Mason Thomas recorded his first career sack and nearly blocked a punt in a winless Chiefs preseason, drawing on-field praise from Patrick Mahomes ahead of the Sept. 14 opener vs. Denver.

Chiefs, Hunt Midwest launch 'Two-Point Development' for stadium-area districts

Kansas City named a new joint venture with Hunt Midwest, 'Two-Point Development,' to oversee mixed-use districts around the club's future Wyandotte County, Kansas stadium site and its Olathe headquarters/training complex.

Waiver-priority D-line retool (Pyburn, Eason) directly targets last year's defensive struggles.

Rookie R Mason Thomas's preseason flashes raise the ceiling on a rebuilt pass rush.

New 'Two-Point Development' venture starts shaping the stadium-area footprint beyond Arrowhead.

Chiefs claim DE Jack Pyburn, DT Bryson Eason off waivers, add 12 to practice squad

Kansas City used a top-10 waiver priority to add Pyburn (Tampa Bay) and Eason (San Francisco), cutting DT Marcus Harris and CB Kevin Knowles to make room.

Rookie edge rusher R Mason Thomas records first NFL sack, draws praise from Mahomes, Spagnuolo

The Chiefs' second-round pick recorded his first sack in the preseason finale against Seattle, with DC Steve Spagnuolo and DL coach Joe Cullen praising the pass rush ahead of a Week 1 home game vs. Denver.

Chiefs and Hunt Midwest launch "Two-Point Development" real estate venture

The joint venture will master-develop mixed-use districts around the franchise's future Wyandotte County stadium and Olathe headquarters; owner Clark Hunt: "Leaving Arrowhead is not a small decision."

Chiefs trim to 53, release 2019 Super Bowl veteran Ogbah, place two on PUP/IR

Kansas City terminated Emmanuel Ogbah's contract, waived several depth players, placed DT Omarr Norman-Lott on PUP and WR Jimmy Holiday on IR, and kept three quarterbacks: Justin Fields, Patrick Mahomes and Garrett Nussmeier.

Late-round QB Garrett Nussmeier turning heads in Chiefs camp, could force a hard roster call

Nussmeier, KC's final pick in the 2026 draft, has taken extended preseason snaps behind an injury-limited Patrick Mahomes and newly acquired Justin Fields. His play has been strong enough the Chiefs may not be able to safely stash him on the practice squad.

Chiefs trade for Giants guard Josh Ezeudu to shore up offensive line

Kansas City sent a 2028 seventh-round pick to the Giants for OG Josh Ezeudu, a 26-year-old third-round 2022 pick who has 33 games and 10 starts but missed 2025 with injury, addressing visible backup O-line trouble late in camp.

Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill's charity pizza partnership tops $150K raised for KC kids

Tranquill's third-season partnership with Minsky's Pizza unveiled a new outdoor community space, 'Zone 23,' at Operation Breakthrough, with proceeds topping $150,000 raised over two seasons.

Late-round QB Garrett Nussmeier turning heads in Chiefs camp, could force a hard roster call

Chiefs trade for Giants guard Josh Ezeudu to shore up offensive line

Chiefs LB Drue Tranquill's charity pizza partnership tops $150K raised for KC kids

Andy Reid: Mahomes 'doing great,' but Week 1 status still undecided

Nine months removed from his ACL/LCL tear, Mahomes said he intends to be ready for Kansas City's Monday Night Football opener vs. Denver on Sept. 14; Reid said Monday there are 'no predictions' yet on his availability. NOTE: ESPN's spine record shows KC 0-0; locally sourced, dated reporting this cycle confirms the Chiefs are actually 0-2 (losses at the Rams and at Tampa Bay) — see GAPS, discrepancy not silently corrected.

Chiefs fall 16-15 to Buccaneers, drop to 0-2 in preseason as Butker misses late go-ahead kick

Patrick Mahomes did not play; Justin Fields started and rookie Garrett Nussmeier relieved him. New in-game injuries: S Alohi Gilman (back spasms) and DE Tyreke Smith (hamstring, may miss time). HC Andy Reid: 'I'm not going to make any excuses.'

Right-tackle and third-RB battles come into focus in Chiefs' Tampa Bay loss

With Josh Simmons and Trey Smith sidelined, Jaylon Moore and UDFA Kahlil Benson filled in on the line; Emmett Johnson (7 carries, 25 yards) stayed ahead of Brashard Smith in the third-RB race.

Chiefs' defensive line thins further as Ashton Gillotte suffers ruptured plantar fascia

Gillotte, who had 1.5 sacks as a rookie, was hurt in Wednesday practice with no return timeline given. Several other players (Chamarri Conner, Trey Smith, Josh Simmons) were also held out of the Aug 22 game at Tampa Bay; KC signed veteran DE Emmanuel Ogbah to offset the losses.

Chiefs defensive line depth stretched thin by injuries

DE Ashton Gillotte ruptures plantar fascia; Chiefs' Thursday injury list grows

HC Andy Reid confirmed the diagnosis for Gillotte; OT Josh Simmons, OG Trey Smith and two receivers also missed Thursday's final camp practice before Saturday's game at Tampa Bay.

Chiefs sign OT Kellen Diesch, waive Matt Waletzko with injury designation

Diesch, a UDFA most recently with the UFL's Louisville Kings, signed Thursday to add offensive line depth.

DE Ashton Gillotte ruptures plantar fascia

Andy Reid confirmed the injury from Wednesday's practice; no firm return timeline was given. It compounds a thin defensive-end room after Ethan Downs' camp-ending torn ACL.

Chiefs sign LB Cam Jones, waive DE Anthony Dunn

A reunion signing to add linebacker depth after Jack Cochrane's knee injury.

Mahomes flips TD to Rashee Rice as Chiefs manage a crowded Tuesday injury list

Mahomes continues his conservative return from December ACL/LCL surgery, connecting with Rice and Cyrus Allen in practice, while Kansas City works through a lengthy camp injury report.

Backup running back battle takes shape as rookie Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith shine in Chiefs preseason opener

With new starter Kenneth Walker III held out, fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson and second-year Brashard Smith outplayed veteran Emari Demercado in extended backfield work, giving Andy Reid an early read on backup RB pecking order heading into Week 2 of the preseason. Emmett Johnson led Chiefs backs with 12 carries for 59 yards and added 3 catches for 10 yards; a 4-yard touchdown run was called back on a holding penalty. Brashard Smith had 8 carries for 21 yards and 2 catches for 12 yards. Veteran Emari Demercado, listed second on the depth chart, played only in the fourth quarter, finishing with 3 carries for 9 yards. Kenneth Walker III, the reigning Super Bowl MVP signed from Seattle, did not play.

Rookie edge rusher R Mason Thomas flashes strength and speed in Chiefs preseason debut

Thomas, the No. 40 overall pick out of Oklahoma, was drafted to jolt a pass rush that underperformed in 2025; his debut -- a run-stop assist, a pressure that helped force a field goal, and a batted pass -- is an early signal in the defensive end rotation battle. Thomas, a second-round pick (No. 40 overall) from Oklahoma, finished with two tackles and a pass defensed, and helped force a field-goal try on a third-down pressure. He recorded 17 sacks and 25.5 tackles for loss in three seasons with the Sooners. Thomas pushed back on being typecast as strictly a speed rusher, saying he also has a bull-rush element to his game.

Chiefs offensive line's penalty problem and Chris Jones' one-play cameo headline preseason-opener fallout

Andy Reid flagged offensive-line penalties as the top item to fix entering Week 2 of the preseason, while Chris Jones' pointed comments about not wanting to play in preseason led to a one-snap appearance -- a subplot in how Kansas City manages its star ahead of the regular season. KSHB counted 10 penalties against Kansas City's offensive line, including eight on the second unit alone (three false starts, four holding calls, one ineligible player downfield); KCTV5 put the offensive line's total at 11 penalties. Reid called the penalties the top priority to clean up heading into the next week of preparation. Chris Jones said before the game he'd rather not play in the preseason; Reid and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo started him, then removed him after the first defensive snap. Jaylon Moore currently holds the inside track at starting right tackle over rookie Khalil Benson, based o

Rookie QB Garrett Nussmeier turns heads in extensive preseason-opener action behind Justin Fields

With Patrick Mahomes held out and Justin Fields the presumptive backup, seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier's outing gave Andy Reid an extended look at his third quarterback ahead of upcoming roster-cut decisions. Nussmeier completed 13 of 19 passes for 98 yards, working mostly behind reserve blockers and with other reserves. Justin Fields went 4 of 4 for 41 yards over two possessions before the staff pulled him for the rest of the game. A 55-yard deep shot from Nussmeier to Jason Brownlee was dropped, leading to a punt. Nussmeier was sacked twice and came up briefly gimpy after a third-quarter sack but finished the game.

Backup running back battle takes shape as rookie Emmett Johnson, Brashard Smith shine in Chiefs preseason opener

Rookie edge rusher R Mason Thomas flashes strength and speed in Chiefs preseason debut

Chiefs offensive line's penalty problem and Chris Jones' one-play cameo headline preseason-opener fallout

Rookie QB Garrett Nussmeier turns heads in extensive preseason-opener action behind Justin Fields

Rams spoil the Chiefs' Arrowhead return with a 20-12 preseason win

Justin Fields went 4-of-4 for 41 yards before exiting and seventh-round rookie Garrett Nussmeier went 13-of-19 for 98 yards in his NFL debut, sacked twice. Harrison Butker made all four field goals including a 59-yarder, but the offensive line drew 10 penalties and wiped out a touchdown run.

Undrafted rookie Khalil Benson starts at right guard with Trey Smith out

Jaylon Moore started at right tackle and Benson at right guard while Trey Smith sat with a hip issue. Moore is listed first on the depth chart but Benson has pushed him for first-team reps in camp.

Injury notes: Trey Smith and Chamarri Conner sit, Godrick exits with an ankle injury

Safety Chamarri Conner was held out as a precaution after banging knees with Tyquan Thornton in camp. Backup tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick left with an ankle injury; Kansas City otherwise came through the game intact.

Jaden Hicks answers roster-bubble questions with a team-high seven tackles

The third-year safety started with the first and second units in Conner's place and finished with seven tackles including a first-half tackle for loss and a pass defensed. He played under a third of defensive snaps as a rookie.

Chiefs fans line up before sunrise for the preseason return to Arrowhead

Fans began arriving as early as 4:30 a.m. for a 3 p.m. kickoff. Michelle Jones was first into the lot, Scott Kesler had a tailgate running by 6:30 a.m., and Bob Reed attended his first live Chiefs game on his 80th birthday.

Quarterback order behind Mahomes taking shape through Fields and Nussmeier

Offensive line penalties the headline problem from the opener

Safety depth auditioning with Conner held out

First home crowd at Arrowhead since Christmas

Rookie CB Mansoor Delane returns to full practice as Chiefs waive DB Bryce Phillips

Delane, the No. 6 overall pick, practiced without a non-contact jersey for the first time in camp. Phillips was waived in the corresponding move for Emmanuel Ogbah's signing.

Chiefs set QB order for preseason opener: Fields starts, Nussmeier next, Oladokun closes

With Patrick Mahomes out, Andy Reid laid out the full rotation for Saturday's Arrowhead opener. Kenneth Walker, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice are unlikely to play.

Mansoor Delane's return to full practice

The quarterback rotation with Mahomes resting