Kansas City signed former Kansas State long snapper Randen Plattner to take over while James Winchester is out.
On Monday, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid met with reporters as the team’s preseason preparation continues at the team’s training facility on the grounds of the Truman Sports Complex.
Reid began by saying that eight players were being held out of Monday’s practice:
- WR Hollywood Brown (shoulder)
- WR Jaaron Hayek (shoulder)
- DT Chris Jones (shoulder)
- DE BJ Thompson (illness)
- DE Charles Omenihu (ACL)
- DE Truman Jones (knee)
- CB Nazeeh Johnson (hamstring)
- LS James Winchester (shoulder)
Brown, Hayek, Chris Jones, Thompson and Omenihu all missed Saturday’s preseason game against the Lions. Reid noted that Chris Jones is “feeling much better.” Thompson remains on the team’s Active/NFI (non-football injury) list, while Omenihu is still shown on the Active/PUP (physically-unable-to-perform) roster.
Truman Jones, Johnson and Winchester all sustained their injuries in Saturday’s game.
Reid characterized Winchester’s injury as a sprain of the AC joint of his shoulder. Tight end Noah Gray stepped in for Winchester after he was injured, but Reid said the team had signed a player to take Winchester’s place until he is ready to return.
When practice began, that long snapper was revealed to be Kansas State product Randen Plattner, a native of Parkville, Missouri who first joined the league in June as an undrafted free agent for the Baltimore Ravens. He checks in at 6 feet 3 and 241 pounds.
To open a roster spot for Plattner, the team waived McKade Mettauer with an injury designation. The UDFA offensive lineman tore an MCL in the preseason Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), safety Bryan Cook (personal), right tackle Jawaan Taylor (shoulder) and reserve tackle Wanya Morris (bone bruise-knee) also missed Saturday’s game. All were present for Monday’s workout. Reid isn’t sure Edwards-Helaire is completely out of the woods.
“We’re just playing it kind of by ear — and how he feels,” said the head coach. “He started feeling better the day of the game — and then he felt pretty good yesterday. So we’re headed in the right direction here; it’s a sensitive deal. We’re trying to learn as we go with it.”
Reid couldn’t say whether the running back might end up on the team’s Reserve/Injured list.
“We haven’t even gone there,” said Reid, deferring (as always) to general manager Brett Veach. “He might have a plan there, but I haven’t really talked to him about that. We’re just trying to get [Clyde] back out there and make sure he’s comfortable — where he can function.”
For now, Reid expects all of the team’s recently-injured players — except for Hollywood Brown — to be ready to play in the season opener against the Ravens.
