Andy Reid delivers the best possible news regarding 2 key players on final day of Chiefs mandatory minicamp

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Kansas City Chiefs News

The Kansas City Chiefs are wrapping up their final day of mandatory minicamp.

Coach Andy Reid spoke to the media on Thursday morning, and delivered some great news regarding two key offensive players. Third-year wide receiver Rashee Rice and rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons will be full participants in training camp next month.

“They’re both ready to go,” Reid said. “They actually got great work in these camps here.”

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Rice is coming off a torn LCL that he suffered in Week 4 of the 2024 season. He has appeared to be recovered for quite some time now, but it’s nice to get the official word from Reid.

As for Simmons, he has been recovering from a torn patellar tendon that ended his collegiate career at Ohio State back in October. Reid and the rest of the Chiefs coaching staff have been consistent in saying how impressed they are by Simmons’ rehab ever since rookie minicamp back in early May.

Reid also talked about the potential of Simmons starting at left tackle as a rookie in 2025.

“Potentially, yes,” Reid said. “You can see his athletic ability. You can see his want to. He’s got a great attitude. He’s approached everything the right way, plus a little bit extra. You could tell, if you just want to look at his rehab, you can see that he had a mindset that ‘I’m going to get in there.’ He worked his tail off to get there, so you respect that part of it. He’s done a nice job in there. He’s worked well. We’ll see what training camp does, and it’s different when things are flying fast up there, and you’ve got full contact and pads on.”

If Simmons is able to win the starting left tackle job right off the bat, the hype train for him will be off the rails. He’ll have to outperform veteran Jaylon Moore to get there, who K.C. signed in free agency during the offseason. Even if Moore beats out Simmons, it’s great that Simmons is healthy and can fully participate in practice and preseason games as he develops.