As the Kansas City Chiefs settle in for another year of training camp in St. Joseph, the roster planning also begins in earnest for the coming season. That means injury updates out of the gate for the Chiefs on the eve of camp’s beginning, specifically for those players who will begin on the Chiefs’ Physically Unable to Play list.
Per Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, three players will begin the preseason on the PUP list: offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor, cornerback Kristian Fulton, and tight end Tre Watson.
The injury news is very good on that front knowing how many players were dealing with concerns throughout the spring and summer so far. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is returning from a major injury, as is tight end Jared Wiley. Offensive tackles Josh Simmons and Jaylon Moore were also dealing with concerns, but knowing they are all ready to go, at least in part, is positive news.
That said, there are concerns in this batch. The good news is that Reid expects those players back sooner than later. He at least intimated that much in his opening remarks to the press from Missouri Western State by saying “We’re hoping it’s relatively fast, so I’d tell you Jawaan’s probably closer right now.”
Taylor is back for his third season in Kansas City as the team’s starting right tackle. However, for the first time since his arrival from Jacksonville, the Chiefs are perhaps entertaining some real competition at both tackle positions with the imports of Moore and Simmons. Taylor is dealing with a lingering knee issue.
As for Fulton, the veteran corner has dealt with injuries in the past—mostly hamstring concerns along with a knee injury. He played in 15 games last year with the Los Angeles Chargers, which is good news, but that was also a career high. Fulton is also out with a knee injury, which will be something to watch as the season creeps closer.
The Chiefs are looking to Fulton to help bolster the core of starters, which will allow Trent McDuffie to play more inside to his strengths while giving the Chiefs another option on the boundary with Jaylen Watson.
As for Watson, the undrafted rookie free agent tight end is a roster longshot as it is, and it’s possible that if his injury persists, it might be a way for the Chiefs to stash him long-term on injured reserve for the year. However, it’s far too early for that level of roster planning.
