KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Trevone Boykin did not just hit the ground running.

He hit it running, passing and winning in a last-second rally that sure made for a splashy NFL debut.

Competing to be Russell Wilson’s backup, the rookie from TCU engineered a last-minute, 88-yard touchdown drive in four plays, connecting with Tanner McEvoy with a 37-yard scoring pass, and then handing the ball to Troy Pope for the 2-point conversion with no time remaining, lifting Seattle past Kansas City 17-16 Saturday.

Boykin, competing with veteran Jake Heaps, replaced Wilson after one possession and had some good and some not-so-good moments before getting going on the final drive.

The clock showed 0:00 when McEvoy out-positioned and out-jumped Malcolm Jackson in the end zone, bringing the Seahawks to within one point in a game they had trailed all day.

“Our guys fought to the end. That’s what we did,” said Boykin. “Tanner made a great catch.”

The stunned Chiefs were flagged for having 12 men on the field, moving the ball to the 1, and Pope went off left guard to score the winner.

Boykin, a star at TCU who was not drafted, was 16 for 26 for 188 yards. Keeping the winning drive alive, he had a scrambling 15-yard run. It was second-and-9 when he lofted the pass to McEvoy, who was waiting in the end zone for the ball.

For the first 59 minutes, the Chiefs dominated, getting a touchdown drive from Alex Smith on their first possession and three field goals from Cairo Santos, including a career-long 58-yarder.

Steven Hauschka also had three field goals for the Seahawks.

PICKING UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF

Seahawks: Hauschka was 3 for 3 after hitting 29 of 31 last season, connecting from 52, 49 and 50 yards.

Chiefs: Santos was also perfect on three attempts and Marcus Peters, last season’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, had an interception of Wilson at the goal line.

ROOKIE WATCH

Seahawks: Brandin Bryant, the 290-pound rookie out of Florida Atlantic who’s been turning heads in practice, had two tackles at left tackle and seemed to hold his own against more experienced Chiefs linemen. Tyvis Powell, a safety out of Ohio State, made an alert interception off a tipped ball, got up and returned it 11 yards to put the Seahawks at midfield.

Chiefs: Special teams hopeful Eric Murray made a nifty stop on the 9-yard line on the kickoff following Santos’ field goal, leading to KC next taking possession at its 44.

INJURY UPDATE

Seahawks: The injury issue that’s been hurting the Seahawks since camp opened kept a number of players from even suiting up, including running backs C.J. Prosise and Zac Brooks and wide receivers Deshon Foxx, Kevin Smith and Kasen Williams. … Tight end Jimmy Graham, who returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his patella tendon last November, stayed home.

Chiefs: Linebacker D.J. Alexander went out in the first quarter with a rib injury, but returned late in the second.

POSITION BATTLES:

Seahawks: Boykin got off to a good start in his competition to back up Wilson. His case is strengthened because his college offense is similar to what he’s doing now. Flashing the agility that made him a dual-threat star at TCU, he also faked out linebacker Ramik Wilson for a 5-yard gain on third down.

Chiefs: Nick Foles, signed after camp opened to perhaps provide experienced backup for Smith, completed half his eight passes for 37 yards and was high on his first couple of throws, a problem he’s been having in camp. But tight end Demetrius Harris dropped a well-thrown ball on third down.

Smith directed a nearly flawless touchdown drive in his only possession, making a particularly nifty third-down completion to set up KC’s touchdown. He was 3 for 4 for 36 yards.

Wilson was almost equally impressive in his brief appearance. But a goal-line interception by Marcus Peters thwarted an otherwise impressive drive by the Seahawks’ first-team offense and its revamped offensive line.

Heaps was 2 for 6 for 20 yards.

Nick Foles, who had success in Philadelphia with Andy Reid, completed half of his eight passes for 37 yards after replacing Smith but was high on several throws. Tyler Bray, the strong-armed undrafted fourth-year quarterback from Tennessee, was 3 of 9 for 48 yards.

Taking advantage of Seattle mistakes, the Chiefs’ first-team offense drove 49 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead on the game’s first possession. Knile Davis picked up 34 yards with the kickoff, then a facemask penalty on Steven Terrell added 15. On third-and-9 from the Seattle 21, Smith escaped pressure and found Jeremy Maclin on the 1. Spencer Ware went in for the TD.

“It was good work out there, going against another team for the first time,” said Ware, who had 24 yards on five carries for an offense that rushed for 135 yards. “Camp’s not over yet. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

— Associated Press —

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Yordano Ventura won consecutive starts for the first time in two months, Kendrys Morales homered in his return from a one-game suspension and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 7-3 Friday night.

Ventura (8-9) struck out nine in seven innings, allowing four hits, one walk and three runs, pitching the Royals to their fifth win in the last six games. After posting a 5.15 ERA in the first half, Ventura has a 3.26 ERA after the All-Star break.

Miguel Sano homered for the fifth time in the last seven games and Brian Dozier hit a two-run shot, giving Twins starter Kyle Gibson (4-7) a one-run lead he took into the fifth inning. The Royals hit the ball plenty hard, but the softest one made the biggest impact.

Salvador Perez’s bat broke on a two-strike, two-out, two-run bloop single with the bases loaded the gave the Royals a 4-3 lead. Third baseman Trevor Plouffe awkwardly backpedaled for the slowly rising ball, but it cleared his head and landed in front of diving shortstop Jorge Polanco.

Eric Hosmer and Raul Mondesi hit RBI doubles for the Royals, and Paulo Orlando combined an RBI single with two lunging catches in center field to take hits from the Twins, who have lost four straight games after winning nine of 12 prior to the streak.

The Royals are 6-1 against the Twins this season, with 12 games left between them. After a rough July that all but dashed their dream of returning to the playoffs and defending their World Series title, the Royals are 7-4 in August. Their starting pitchers have a 3.01 ERA.

After using eight pitchers, including utility infielder Eduardo Escobar, and giving up 25 runs to Houston while being swept Thursday in a doubleheader, the Twins needed Gibson to go deep into the game. He was removed two batters into the sixth.

The right-hander hasn’t been able to get in a groove this season, though. His first-inning ERA is 9.00, and he has recorded quality starts of six innings or more and three runs or fewer only six times in 16 turns.

Lefties are hitting .330 in 188 at-bats against Gibson.

SUMMER SWATS

The Twins have a major league-most 63 home runs in 42 games since June 26, and Dozier leads both leagues in that span with 15 of his 24 homers. Sano has 20 home runs this season, including 16 against right-handers.

WET WEATHER

The game started 50 minutes late because of steady rain that wiped out batting practice and lasted into the evening. This was the ninth weather-related delay at Target Field this year, a total of 11 hours and 54 minutes of waiting, plus a pair of postponed games including Wednesday.

In seven seasons at the ballpark, the Twins have had 30 games delayed and 14 games postponed.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Royals: Morales returned from a one-game suspension served Thursday following his dropped appeal to Major League Baseball. Kansas City’s home run leader was punished for returning to the dugout following his ejection for arguing Aug. 2 at Tampa Bay about the strike zone.

Twins: LH Tommy Milone was placed on the DL with left biceps tendinitis, the third pitcher shelved for injury in three days. RH Trevor May visited a specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for his lower back trouble. More testing is needed.

UP NEXT

Royals: Will keep RHP Dillon Gee (4-5, 4.54 ERA) in the rotation and start him Saturday, despite needing him in relief Wednesday in their 14-inning victory over Chicago. Gee struck out three in two perfect innings for the win.

Twins: Will send RHP Tyler Duffey (7-8, 5.93 ERA) to the mound for the second game of the series, his 20th start of the season. He struck out eight in six innings for the victory in his last turn, against Houston.

— Associated Press —

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The reality of injuries sustained in the NFL can be harsh.

When a player like Phillip Gaines suffers a serious injury, there’s never a guarantee a spot will still be available upon his return. The Chiefs’ third-round draft pick out of Rice in 2014 worked into a starting role by the end of his rookie year and reassumed that position last year.

A torn ACL suffered in Week 3 during a loss to the Packers ended Gaines’ season and clouded his future.

Gaines left offseason activities as the presumed second starter at cornerback opposite 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters. Gaines and Steve Nelson have split time on the right side with the first team so far in training camp, and Gaines clearly fits into the Chiefs’ plans.

“It just feels good to be able to have the opportunity to play, and I’m going to try and make the most of it,” Gaines said.

The Chiefs listed Nelson, a third-round pick out of Oregon State in 2015, as the second starter in the first depth chart released earlier this week.

Gaines continues to slowly work back from the knee injury, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid limited his participation in Wednesday’s practice, the last one in pads ahead of the preseason opener against Seattle on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Reid said he would attempt to play everyone on the roster, and the early portion could provide a first look at how the Chiefs deploy the cornerbacks alongside Peters, who grabbed eight interceptions and returned two for touchdowns in his first season.

The Chiefs’ cornerbacks corps took a hit in the offseason when Sean Smith left in free agency for the Oakland Raiders, leaving a starting spot open, with Gaines, Nelson, Marcus Cooper and a trio of rookies looking to earn playing time. None of those seven players has more than three years of experience.

“Real talented group. We’ve just got to come along,” Peters said. “That’s what camp is for. As camp goes on, everyone gets a lot more comfortable and the speed of the game slows down and you start making your plays. I love the talent. Everyone’s out here competing.”

Gaines started his career in Kansas City with a prominent role on special teams. He started five games in 2014 before a concussion and illness ended his season after 13 games.

With Smith suspended the first three games of 2015, Gaines earned a starting spot. But his season ended in the game before Smith returned. He has 26 tackles and no interceptions in his first 16 NFL matches.

Nelson didn’t play much early in 2015, but Gaines’ injury and other struggles in the secondary helped him get on the field in 12 games. His biggest moment came in a playoff win against the Houston Texans when he briefly subbed for Peters and broke up a pass intended for star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.

Coaches have shown a preference to use Gaines in the slot, making him a potential fit as a nickel defender rather than the No. 1 cornerback on the right side.

Despite having only eight tackles to his credit, Nelson could quickly move into that starting role, and coaches and teammates like his fiery attitude and emotional style. Nelson has admitted disappointment with not playing more as a rookie, but Reid has confidence he is ready to assume a much larger role.

“He’s an energy giver, that kid,” Reid said. “He’s learning all the fundamentals and technique and battling like crazy. He never gives up on a play. He’s got a short memory.”

Cooper currently has the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Peters. Cooper showed flashes in 2013 with three interceptions, but struggled in 2014 and made just two tackles in 10 games last year.

The rookie draft picks sit behind the top four attempting to make their case for a spot in the rotation.

KeiVarae Russell (third round, Notre Dame), Eric Murray (fourth round, Minnesota) and D.J. White (sixth round, Georgia Tech) were all taken to add depth at a seemingly thin spot. Currently, Murray and sixth-year veteran defensive back Jamell Fleming, who has played some cornerback the past two years with Kansas City, are listed at safety on the depth chart.

Peters, Gaines and Nelson look like the only guaranteed contributors at cornerback, but the depth could be important – a lesson the Chiefs learned last year while rotating through a multitude of looks.

“Nothing’s set in stone until the game’s here, and from game to game it can change, too,” Gaines said. “I got hurt last year. At the blink of an eye someone else had to come in. You always have to be mentally prepared to take every rep even if you’re not on the field so when you are put in, we just keep it moving.”

— Associated Press —

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs released their initial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener, and it left fans wondering just how good they might be once the games start counting.

Assuming all those pieces stay healthy. Or get healthy.

Jamaal Charles is the starting running back, even though he has been sitting out camp after surgery to repair his ACL. Eric Berry is the starting safety, even though he has yet to sign a franchise tag and report to camp. Justin Houston is one outside linebacker and Tamba Hali the other, even though both of them are also coming back from knee injuries — Houston may be out for a while.

Still, the Chiefs were required to put something on paper and they sent it out late Sunday.

What they came up with is a roster that, if everyone was healthy, might be their best in years

“The job (general manager) John Dorsey and his staff have continued to do in terms of bringing in young players and some veteran players who can fill in and make us stronger, I think this is the most complete team we’ve had since Andy (Reid) and John have been here,” chairman Clark Hunt said.

There were few major surprises on the depth chart ahead of Saturday’s game against Seattle.

Charcandrick West was listed ahead of Spencer Ware at running back, meaning he is the de factor No. 1 until Charles returns. West and Ware split reps after the Pro Bowler went down last season.

Chris Conley was listed ahead of Rod Streater at one wide receiver spot, both of them trailing Albert Wilson, who has missed time with a calf injury. Tyreek Hill is listed deep on the chart but has been making enough plays that it would hardly be a surprise to see him quickly climb it.

Demetrius Harris appears to have a slight edge on Ross Travis at the second tight end spot.

“Typically in this offense we count on tight ends,” co-offensive coordinator Brad Childress said. “Travis (Kelce) will continue to up his game and hopefully the guys behind him will up their game.”

The only surprise along the offensive line was more like an affirmation: rookie Parker Ehinger has been impressive throughout camp and was listed with the starts at left guard. Another rookie, defensive end Chris Jones, is backing up Jay Howard on the opposite line. Dontari Poe and Allen Bailey return from last season at the other two starting spots.

The linebacker situation is still fluid, though.

Houston’s injury means that former first-round pick Dee Ford will get his opportunity in the spotlight. He has been inconsistent — some might say ineffective — during his first two seasons, rarely playing at all as a rookie and making just 5 1/2 sacks his first two seasons.

“I’m here to do what I’ve always wanted to do. As far as my goals, I see this as an opportunity,” he said. “I knew at some point this is where I would be. So the last couple of years I’ve been working to get to this point. This is a chance for me to step up and really show what I can do.”

Safety Daniel Sorensen could just as well say the same thing.

He made the team a couple years ago as an undrafted free agent, and has slowly earned more playing time. But he’s due to get a whole lot of it if Berry refuses to sign his franchise tender.

Sorensen has already earned a reputation in camp for being a big hitter.

“He’s a smart player and we’re asking him to do a lot back there,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, “but that’s what that position holds. Him and (Ron) Parker are close. Until E.B. gets in, he’s going to have to hold down the fort for us.”

One glance at the Chiefs’ first depth chart and there’s a lot of holding down the fort happening.

“We’re trading punches kind of back and forth, and they’re challenging each other in a positive way,” Reid said. “For the most part, I appreciate the effort they’re giving.”

— Associated Press —

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Fans will have to wait at least a day to see the Kansas City Chiefs’ new presumptive backup quarterback.

Rain forced the team into the indoor facility on the campus of Missouri Western State University for practice Friday, which took place hours after Nick Foles signed a one-year contract with an option for a second year. The move reunites him with coach Andy Reid, who drafted him out of Arizona in 2012 while with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Foles adds experience behind starter Alex Smith and brings a familiarity with Reid’s system. After the Los Angeles Rams granted his release, Foles said, he contacted Reid and indicated he was the only coach he wanted to play for this season.

Reid said after practice that the team remains Smith’s, and Foles said he didn’t receive any guarantee of being the No. 2 behind the 12-year veteran.

“I don’t need any guarantees,” Foles said. “He knows that I’m coming here to work and just be a part of the team. I’m not coming here to try and do anything except be a great teammate to these guys, help Alex in any way and obviously, you always have to be ready to play because we’re here to play.”

Foles eschewed other potential offers that could have given him a better chance to compete for a starting job right away.

After a sub-par season in 2015 with the Rams, Foles sees Kansas City as a place where he can re-evaluate where he is in his career. The Eagles were 15-9 in his 24 starts spread across three years, while the Rams were 4-7 last season after he went to St. Louis in a quarterback swap that offered him and former No. 1 pick Sam Bradford a change of scenery.

Foles ended up seeking another change of scenery after just one year with the Rams, who chose quarterback Jared Goff with the first pick in the NFL draft. Some were not surprised he landed with the Chiefs and Reid.

“You know why it didn’t? I think it goes to show the type of respect that people who play for coach Reid have for him and the kind of faith they have in him,” said Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who caught 78 passes and 10 touchdowns from Foles with the Eagles in 2012 and 2014. “Any time ‘Big Red’ wants you to be a part of what he has going on, that’s an honor, so it didn’t really surprise me this would be the spot he picked.”

Foles started six games in 2012 with the Eagles with limited results in what turned out to be Reid’s final season in Philadelphia.

In 2013, Foles flourished after taking over the starting job from Michael Vick and threw 27 touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 starts under Chip Kelly and his innovative pass offense, which included an NFL record-tying seven-touchdown performance against the Raiders. That season ended with a trip to the Pro Bowl and seemingly cemented Foles as a star.

Instead, the Eagles went 6-2 in his eight starts in 2014 despite limited success (13 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) before a season-ending injury ultimately spelled the end of Foles’ tenure with Philadelphia. He started 11 games last year with the Rams — his worst season as a pro.

“I think he got out of me more than I ever thought possible,” Foles said of Reid. “He pushed me — every throw, everything I did — to just be aggressive and really, really helped me to be the player the next year (in 2013) and just continued to grow. It hasn’t always been smooth; it hasn’t always been like those first two years.”

At practice, Foles split repetitions with Tyler Bray, who signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie in 2013 and has worked as Smith’s backup throughout the start of camp. Bray has never thrown a pass in a regular-season game, and neither have 2014 fifth-round draft pick Aaron Murray and 2016 fifth-round draft pick Kevin Hogan.

Reid cited Foles’ experience as a reason to bring him into an already crowded situation behind Smith. The Chiefs cut defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu to make room on the roster for the new quarterback.

“Nick’s familiar, obviously, with the system,” Reid said. “He’s a good football player. He was good for me as a rookie and Chip that first year there. I think he’s a good fit, and you can’t have enough of those guys. It’s a tough position, and you want to make sure that you’re fully loaded there. I think we’re fully loaded.”

Foles hit tight end James O’Shaughnessy on his first pass during a drill at the indoor practice. He received limited opportunities to throw in his first workout with Kansas City and did not participate in the Chiefs’ first live-tackling segment of training camp.

Reid said the Chiefs would continue to work on ways to split up repetitions and didn’t have an answer for how long they would hold on to all five guys.

“We’ll see. Maybe I’ll start my own hamburger stand,” the veteran coach joked.

— Associated Press —

The Kansas City Chiefs completed their first full squad training camp practice Saturday at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.  Click the links below to listen to interviews after practice.

Head Coach Andy Reid
WR Jeremy Maclin
QB Alex Smith
LT Eric Fisher
LB Derrick Johnson

Click here to listen to Eric Fisher talk about his contract extension

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Eric Fisher could be protecting the blind side for Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks for the next six years.

The Chiefs announced they had signed the left tackle to a contract extension Saturday, the first day veterans such as Fisher joined rookies on the practice field at Missouri Western for training camp.

The Chiefs did not announce terms of the extension, but a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press it was a four-year, $48 million deal that includes $40 million guaranteed. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract terms were confidential.

Fisher is starting the final year of his rookie contract, and the Chiefs exercised their fifth-year option on the former No. 1 overall pick in May. That means Fisher’s total deal spans six years and $63 million.

“In three seasons he’s grown significantly as a football player in our system,” Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. “He’s a tough, physical presence and a leader on our offensive line. We look forward to keeping him as a part of our organization and community.”

The Chiefs hoped that Fisher would develop into a franchise left tackle when they selected him in the 2013 draft out of Central Michigan. But he struggled mightily his first couple years as he adjusted to life in the NFL, and for a while, many Chiefs fans thought that Fisher would turn out to be a bust.

He finally came into his own last season, adeptly protecting quarterback Alex Smith and helping to ensure the Chiefs’ run game remained on track even after Jamaal Charles suffered a season-ending knee injury. Fisher started both of the Chiefs’ playoff games, helping them win one for the first time since the 1993 season.

“Coach (Andy) Reid’s big thing is it all starts in the trenches with O-line, D-line and he’ll tell us that before every game,” Fisher said during the offseason. “We take that to heart, we’ve been building this thing for multiple years now and I think we’re getting to that point where we’re just about there.”

The only other first-round pick from the 2013 draft to sign an extension is Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who in January signed a six-year, $63 million deal with $35.5 million guaranteed.

Fisher’s deal means the Chiefs could have the three most prominent spots on the offensive line solidified for the foreseeable future. Mitch Morse is entering his second year at center after a dazzling rookie season, and the Chiefs signed free-agent right tackle Mitch Schwartz to a five-year, $33 million deal in March.

— Associated Press —

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Eric Berry arrived at Chiefs training camp before he was required to last season, so eager was the All-Pro safety to get back on the field after undergoing treatment for cancer.

He wasn’t seen reporting with the rest of the veterans on Friday.

Berry was designated the Chiefs’ franchise player but has not yet signed his contract, which means he cannot be disciplined for skipping camp. But considering the one-year deal promises to pay him more than $10.8 million, Berry is expected to sign at some point before the season. That contract would make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL this year.

“It is a business and in this business it’s next man up,” said Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley, who was among the steady stream of players who reported to Missouri Western State University. “That’s the way they coach. That’s the way it’s always been.”

The Chiefs are scheduled to hold their first full-squad workout on Saturday.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid was not available to discuss Berry’s situation, and he has largely kept out of the negotiations. While Reid handled many of the player personnel decisions when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles, he has turned that responsibility over to general manager John Dorsey. Dorsey waved to reporters from his bicycle Friday but did not stop to speak.

The Chiefs and Berry’s representatives were never close to reaching a long-term agreement by the July 15 deadline, even though there was plenty of goodwill between the sides. The Chiefs stood by him during his treatment for lymphoma and Berry has been a steadfast face of the franchise.

Now, their contract talks must be shelved until after the season.

The Chiefs could still rescind the franchise tag, something that Reid did twice in Philadelphia — with linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and defensive tackle Corey Simon. But doing that would not only make Berry a free agent, it would significantly weaken the Chiefs in the defensive backfield.

Berry played in every game last season, less than a year after his cancer diagnosis. He made 55 tackles, had a pair of interceptions and resumed his role as the heart and soul of the defense.

“I know the kind of person that he is. Whatever way you cut it, Eric Berry is a great football player and good things are going to happen for him here,” Reid said earlier this week. “I know how he’s wired and he loves to play the game. That’s just how it is.”

The Chiefs play their first regular-season game Sept. 11 against San Diego.

“It’s a weird dynamic that you are juggling with finances and playing,” Reid said, “but I’ve seen it before, guys normally come in and they just go. When it’s time to play, they just play. They put the business side aside and they get after it.”

— Associated Press —

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs placed running back Jamaal Charles on the physically unable to perform list Wednesday, though coach Andy Reid said it should not be considered a setback in his return from a knee injury.

Charles tore the ACL in his right knee in Week 5 last season. He had surgery soon afterward and was far enough along in his recovery that he participated in some drills during mandatory minicamp.

“He’s on track and he’s played a lot of downs, so he knows what he needs to do to be ready, and I think we’ll be fine there,” Reid said. “The important thing is that we are patient with him in bringing him back. He knows what to do to be ready and when he’s ready, we’ll bring him back.”

This is the second time that Charles has undergone surgery to repair an ACL. He missed most of the 2011 season after hurting his other knee but ran for 1,509 yards the following season.

Still, Charles is older now — he turns 30 in December — and has many more hits on his body.

The Chiefs can afford to take their time with him, though. They re-signed Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware in the offseason, bringing back the speed-and-power combination that filled in well for Charles when he was hurt while making a cut in a game against the Bears.

“We’re just going to take our time,” Reid said. “We’re just going to make sure he’s good.”

The Chiefs can take Charles off the PUP list whenever he is medically cleared, but that likely will not happen anytime soon. Veterans do not report for the start of training camp until Friday.

Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines also tore an ACL early last season, but he is already close to full speed. He is expected to compete for one of the starting jobs opposite Marcus Peters.

“I thought he moved around great,” Reid said after the first practice involving rookies, select veterans and quarterbacks. “He took a lot of reps and it looks like he’s put on some weight and some strength. I was happy with what I saw today. He competed.”

Gaines said he still has some rust to knock off, but he is “close to 100 percent.”

“I’m definitely climbing toward that way,” he said. “It’s the first time playing football since the Green Bay game (on Sept. 28), so just feels good to be able to have the opportunity to play.”

Gaines said there is no pain in his surgically repaired knee, just a bit of stiffness from time to time. He praised the work of Dr. James Andrews, who also operated on Charles and repaired linebacker Justin Houston’s torn ACL in February, and said that he trusts his knee to hold up.

“I mean, Dr. Andrews is one of the best surgeons in the world, he’s world-renowned,” Gaines said, “and everybody knows him. So if he says my knee’s good, then I have all the confidence in the world.”

Wide receiver Mike Williams, who was signed to provide some depth, also made it onto the practice field Wednesday after dealing with a hamstring injury during the offseason program.

Williams starred for Tampa Bay before injuries and a suspension derailed his career.

“It feels real good. That’s what I’ve been training for to get back out there, so it’s kind of good that I got an early start,” he said. “It feels really good to be back out here again.”

— Associated Press —

Click to listen to Andy Reid’s Press Conference
Click to listen to QB Alex Smith’s Press Conference

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Tyler Bray and Kevin Hogan strolled side-by-side toward Scanlon Hall, their home for the next few weeks of training camp, almost as if they had already formed some sort of alliance.

Maybe they intend to vote Aaron Murray off in the Chiefs’ version of “Quarterback Survivor.”

All three of them arrived at Missouri Western on Tuesday, along with rookies and some other select veterans, to begin the true audition to be Alex Smith’s backup. Murray may enter the race as the slight favorite, but all of them will have an opportunity to get on the field.

“This is a great three days for the quarterbacks to get re-acclimated to the offense, the terminology, the situational offense,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “It’s a great week for them.”

Reid acknowledged that training camp is a better barometer in the quarterback race than the voluntary workouts and minicamp that marked the summer. But he also said that nothing is likely to be decided until his young quarterbacks get on the field for some preseason games.

The first of those isn’t until Aug. 13, when Seattle visits Arrowhead Stadium.

Smith has been a durable starter during his time in Kansas City, somewhat assuaging the fear of an unproven youngster under center. But the Chiefs had also had the comfort of a veteran in Chase Daniel if something should go awry, and that security blanket left for the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s possible the Chiefs could still add a veteran quarterback in camp, especially once the first round of cuts happen. But they are strapped for salary cap space, so it’s likely that one of the three quarterbacks who arrived at Missouri Western will have to earn the job.

Handicapping the race is about as difficult as learning Reid’s offense.

Bray has the strongest arm and biggest frame of the bunch, and the former undrafted free agent out of Tennessee has been in the system the longest. But he has also dealt with a number of injuries that have held him back the past few years, and he has yet to take a meaningful snap.

Asked to judge the competition, he replied: “You know as much as I know.”

“It’s what you have to live for in the NFL,” Bray continued. “There’s always going to be a guy coming in that’s going to be just as good as you are.”

Murray was the first person brought in after Bray, a fifth-round draft pick a couple years ago out of Georgia. He may be the most polished off the three options, but he is somewhat undersized and some wonder whether he has enough arm strength to make the deep throws.

Still, he did have last season to absorb the offense, and the meticulous notes that he took while serving as the third backup behind Smith and Daniel will no doubt have paid off.

“It’s a big, open competition,” he said. “I have to keep showing the coaches what I can do. I didn’t sit back the past couple of years. I paid attention and learned a lot from Alex and Chase.”

Then there is Hogan, the biggest wild card. The Chiefs thought enough of him to select him in the fifth round of this year’s draft, despite a somewhat funky throwing motion, and he played in a similar-style offense at Stanford that could help him with the steep NFL learning curve.

“I think competition is good,” Hogan said, “no matter where. It’s healthy.”

In other news, Reid said that star pass rusher Justin Houston would attend camp but would not participate in any of the football activities. Houston has surgery in February to repair the ALC in his left knee, and the Chiefs hope he will be able to play at some point this season.

Reid also said he was unsure how much Jamaal Charles will participate after surgery on his ACL last season. Charles attending the mandatory minicamp in July and should be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 against San Diego.

The biggest question heading into Friday’s full-squad report day is whether safety Eric Berry will show up. Negotiations on a long-term contract broke down and Berry, who was designated Kansas City’s franchise player, does not need to report until he signs his contract. The one-year deal, at about $10.8 million, would make him the NFL’s highest-paid safety.

“There’s our feeling for him as a football player and there’s a business side of it, and they are two different things,” Reid said. “I’m hoping he’s here. If he’s not, I understand that, too.”

— Associated Press —