Who steps up in wake of Charles Omenihu's suspension? | KCSN Daily 8.4
Plus transactions, latest KCSN podcasts, Substack articles and more Chiefs news.
Welcome back to the latest issue of the KCSN Daily newsletter, where we deliver the best Kansas City Chiefs content to your inbox.
The NFL handed down a six-game suspension to Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu on Thursday. The suspension stems from a violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, which took place back in Jan. 2023. Kansas City was well aware that Omenihu was facing a suspension when they signed him, but now they’ll look to their roster for a six-week replacement.
153 of Omenihu’s 657 defensive snaps with the 49ers last season came from an interior defensive alignment. When speaking about a replacement candidate on the roster, only one defender boasts similar positional flexibility. That’s former 2021 undrafted free agent Malik Herring.
Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo spoke favorably of Herring just this past week.
“Oh yeah today he played – you know he’s playing a number of positions, we talk about Drue (Tranquill) being in different spots, if you look out there Malik (Herring) is in a lot of different spots too in different packages,” Spagnuolo said. “Here’s a guy that’s been here for a number of years, so he’s heard it, so from the mental part he’s much further ahead than some of the other guys.”
Other players who are already seeing more snaps in practice as a result of Omenihu’s calf injury at training camp include former fourth-round pick Joshua Kaindoh and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Blaine Gabbert vouches for Andy Reid’s reputation as QB guru:
Big Red has years of success coaching a variety of different quarterbacks, whether it’s a salty veteran or a young new superstar. New Chiefs backup QB Blaine Gabbert was asked about Reid’s history of success coaching the position and whether he could hammer down what he thought made the Chiefs’ head coach so successful.
“First and foremost he’s a great person,” Gabbert said of Reid. “The biggest thing, he lets you be you, and as you’ve seen over the course of the years, he doctors the play call to a specific guy, (former Chiefs QB) Alex (Smith) to Patrick (Mahomes), (former Chiefs QB) Matt Moore, (former Chiefs QB) Chad (Henne) bits and pieces here the last few years. So as a play-caller, (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid does a great job, the coaching staff does a great job having a plan for each and every guy. His track record speaks for itself, he’s a great coach.”
Gabbert is certainly benefiting from his style of coaching as he has quickly picked up the offense during the course of training camp.
Tershawn Wharton back in action through support of teammates:
Wharton was one of the only players with a season-ending injury during the Chiefs’ 2022 NFL season. It’s tough to watch your teammates succeed knowing that you can’t be out on the field to support them, but Wharton found closure in the support he received from his teammates during that time.
“Seeing the guys come in and seeing me on the training tables, they encouraged me to always to keep my head up,” Wharton said. “And then I like to attack everything like a pro. So, attacking it and just seeing my strides when you know, as the months come along and being able to do things that I wasn’t able to do, that always made me continue to keep my head up and smile through the process.”
Wharton is being eased back into action amidst his injury recovery, but with each passing day, he’s getting closer to making a full return.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire excited for return to New Orleans, Louisiana in preseason Week 1:
Louisiana is home to Edwards-Helaire and Caesars Superdome holds a close place in the veteran running back’s heart. He’s got a lot of good memories there spanning from high school to college. His return in preseason Week 1 as the Chiefs face the New Orleans Saints, is a highly anticipated one for the former LSU Tiger.
“I’m excited man,” Edwards-Helaire told reporters on Friday. “Already I got everybody – like 30 tickets were already bought from the little softball team that I go and check on them each summer. My dad, my whole family – it’s the whole nine. Every time I’m in the (Caesars) Superdome it’s been something to be relived for me. I won a (college) national championship there, I won a high school championship there. Being in the Superdome, being in New Orleans, and being in Louisiana has always been special for me, so it’s perfect.”
Edwards-Helaire could find himself playing an outsized portion of snaps during the preseason with Isiah Pacheco still not cleared for contact and Jerick McKinnon on a pitch count. It’s safe to say, he wouldn’t be opposed to seeing some snaps in that first week.
KC Laboratory - Chris Jones Contract Holdout: Latest Updates on Chiefs' Star DT
KCSN’s Kent Swanson, Craig Stout, and Matt Lane talk about the latest updates on Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones' contract holdout and negotiations.
Quick Hits:
Former Chiefs OL Jeff Allen & DL Mike DeVito broke down OL/DL 1-on-1 drills at Chiefs training camp practice on Thursday, providing expert insight and analysis.
KC Star columnist Sam McDowell went inside the connections between the Royals & Chiefs as it relates to future stadiums.
Undrafted rookie CB Ekow Boye-Doe is keeping the training camp competition in the secondary interesting.
Transactions:
7/30 - Signed to 90-man roster - TE Izaiah Gathings & CB Anthony Witherstone
7/30 - Placed on injured reserve - LB Isaiah Moore & CB Nazeeh Johnson
8/2 - Passed physical - DT Tershawn Wharton
Latest on KCSN Substack:
Are you looking for the latest written analysis from KCSN? Become a paid subscriber for access to exclusive content.
KCSN Podcasts:
Important Dates Ahead:
Aug. 3: Hall of Fame Game between New York Jets & Cleveland Browns
Aug. 13: Chiefs @ Saints - Preseason Week 1
Aug. 19: Chiefs @ Cardinals - Preseason Week 2
Aug. 26: Chiefs vs. Browns - Preseason Week 3
Aug. 29: 53-man roster cuts
Aug. 30: Claiming period for players placed on waivers
