KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With the preseason now over for the Chiefs, it’s full speed ahead for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.
None of the Chiefs’ main starters played in their 34-21 loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium, as coach Andy Reid opted to give the backups ample playing time before general manager Brett Veach has to trim the roster to 53 by Tuesday. The Chiefs will have next week off then open the season against the Ravens on Sept. 5 at home.
“We had some good snaps,” Reid said. “The best part was we were able to get all the guys in there to have an opportunity to play and put it on tape where Brett can evaluate it tomorrow and for the next couple days.
“We look forward to the Ravens’ game coming up here in a couple weeks, and we know this place will be geared up and ready to go. And I know our veteran players and some of those young guys once they heal up from this they’ll be ready to go, too.”
One player who may have played his way onto the roster is undrafted free agent running back Carson Steele. The bruising back out of UCLA rushed four times for 50 yards and scored a touchdown and also returned a kick 29 yards. He also had four carries for 29 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener against Jacksonville.
“We’ll evaluate it, but he looked good tonight,” Reid said. “He’s a physical kid. I know the guys were excited when he was carrying it. But we’ll see. He’s a good football player. It looked they didn’t really want to tackle him and that’s good if you’re a running back.”
Wide receiver Kadarius Toney is in a battle to make the team. He caught two passes for 26 yards and returned a punt for 16 yards, but the odds seemed stacked against the oft-injured receiver.
“We know who he is,” Reid said. “He’s a talented kid. He’s in a battle to make the team, but we’ve never questioned the talent. It’s just him staying healthy is the main thing.”
CHIEFS MAKE HUMPHREY HIGHEST PAID CENTER
One player who will be on the field Week 1 against the Ravens is center Creed Humphrey. The Chiefs and Humphrey agree to a four-year, $72-million contract that will make him the highest paid center in the NFL at $18 million per season, which is also the most for a center in league history, topping Jason Kelce’s $14.25 million.
