Progress Report on Chiefs Rookie Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Defensive line coach Joe Cullen speaks highly of his first-round rookie's progress thus far.

The Kansas City Chiefs took the field on Wednesday knowing that it would be their second to last practice of 2023 training camp. That penultimate set of workouts marks another step in the team evaluating who will and will not make the 53-man roster, as well as getting a closer look at the franchise's rookie class.

Defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who was selected in the first round of April's draft, finished with the third-most defensive snaps played in Kansas City's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints. Flashing both good and bad in his pass-rush plan and run defense, the Kansas State product got plenty of reps that will undoubtedly help him as he continues to get acclimated to life in the NFL. After dealing with a thumb injury earlier in the offseason, the rookie is back at 100%.

Following Wednesday's camp practice, defensive line coach Joe Cullen gave a positive review of Anudike-Uzomah's progress.

"I'll tell you, he's really progressing every day," Cullen said. "Felix was one of the younger guys in the draft, he's 21. But he had 34 snaps the other night, he had some really good pressure, a couple of hits on the quarterback, he's playing the run better. He's just going like that (motions hand upward) every day."

With George Karlaftis, Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna currently projected to rank above Anudike-Uzomah on the defensive end depth chart, the first-year man almost surely won't garner starter-level reps. With that said, Omenihu being suspended six games to begin the season means that the Chiefs could be relying on their top 2023 draft pick to step up to the plate and make an impact early on. According to Cullen, the plan is to get and keep Anudike-Uzomah ready for when his number is called. 

"I think we've got to get him ready to play, and I think he's really going to help us," Cullen said. "I think he'll be in the rotation. He's a really good pass rusher but he also can play the run well. He'll work his way into the rotation." 

Wednesday Chiefs training camp injury update

Wide receiver Justyn Ross returned to practice for the Chiefs on Wednesday after suffering a lower body/leg injury on Tuesday. The same can be said for fellow wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who left Tuesday's practice with a groin injury. Elsewhere, though, Kansas City didn't have a great deal of good news to share.

Receivers Nikko Remigio (shoulder) and Kadarius Toney (knee) were absent from Wednesday's practice. Additionally, cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed (knee) and Nic Jones (hand) were sidelined. Backup interior offensive lineman Nick Allegretti, perhaps the top man off the bench should someone go down at left guard, center or right guard, left Wednesday's practice early with a shoulder injury.

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