Chiefs Rookie Gillotte Suffers Brutal Plantar Fascia Rupture
Chiefs Wrap Up Training Camp: What You Need to Know Before Preseason Game 2
The Big Picture
The Kansas City Chiefs just finished their training camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. They held one final light practice on Thursday morning before hitting the road for their second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday at 6:30 PM.
Important Point: Preseason games are like "practice games" — they don’t count toward the regular season record, but they help coaches decide who makes the final team roster.
Quarterback Plan: No Mahomes Yet
Chiefs fans will have to wait at least one more week to see superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in action.
Here’s the QB rotation for Saturday:
- Justin Fields — Starts the game, plays about 1.5 quarters
- Garrett Nussmeier — Plays the next 1.5 quarters
- Chris Oladokun — Takes the entire 4th quarter
ELI5 Explanation: A football game has 4 quarters (like 4 periods). The coaches are splitting up playing time so each backup quarterback gets a fair chance to show what they can do.
Will Mahomes play next week?
When asked if Mahomes might play in Preseason Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, Coach Andy Reid simply said: "We’ll see how it goes. We’ll see." Translation: No promises yet.
Injury Report: Who’s Out for Saturday
Coach Reid shared several injury updates. The most surprising one involves a rookie defensive player.
Major Injury: Ashton Gillotte (Defensive End)
- Injury: Ruptured plantar fascia (a tear in the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot)
- Status: Will NOT play on Saturday
- Context: This sounds serious, but there are over 3 weeks until the regular season starts (Week 1)
Fun Fact: In 2015, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning partially tore his plantar fascia. Interestingly, a partial tear can be more painful than a complete rupture because the tissue is still pulling on the bone.
Other Players Sitting Out Saturday:
| Player | Position | Injury | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Smith | Right Guard (Starter) | Hip | "Making progress" per Coach Reid |
| Josh Simmons | Left Tackle (Starter) | Back | |
| Jack Cochrane | Linebacker | Undisclosed | Tried practicing Thursday, team held him back |
| Chamarri Conner | Safety | Undisclosed | Tried practicing Thursday, team held him back |
| Jeff Caldwell | Wide Receiver (Rookie) | Hyperextended knee | Happened in practice this week |
| Jimmy Holiday | Wide Receiver | Undisclosed | Hasn’t practiced in over a week |
Coach Reid’s Take: "Just Nicks and Bruises"
Despite the long list, Coach Reid isn’t worried. He said:
"These aren’t extended injuries; they’ll be back. Just nicks-and-bruises type things. They’re working through them and back going."
Key Takeaway: The coaching staff believes everyone listed above should be ready for the regular season opener in a few weeks.
What Happens Next?
Upcoming Schedule:
- Saturday — Preseason Game 2 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6:30 PM)
- Next Week — Preseason Game 3 vs Seattle Seahawks (Mahomes might play)
- ~3 Weeks — Regular Season Week 1 (Games start counting for real!)
What to Watch For on Saturday:
- How Justin Fields looks running the offense
- Whether Garrett Nussmeier (rookie) shows poise
- Backup offensive linemen stepping up for Smith & Simmons
- Young defensive players getting extra snaps with Gillotte out
Summary
- Training camp is OVER — Chiefs now shift to game prep mode
- No Mahomes this Saturday — backup QBs get the work
- Several starters sitting — but coach says all are minor, short-term issues
- Biggest concern: Rookie DE Ashton Gillotte with foot rupture
- 3+ weeks until real games start — plenty of time for healing
FAQ
What is "training camp"?
A: It’s an intense few weeks before the season where the whole team practices together, often away from their home city, to get in shape and learn plays.
Why doesn’t Patrick Mahomes play in preseason?
A: He’s the franchise quarterback. The team wants to protect him from injury in games that don’t count. He gets plenty of work in practice.
What is a "plantar fascia"?
A: It’s a thick band of tissue running along the bottom of your foot, connecting your heel to your toes. It supports your arch. A rupture means it tore completely.
Are the Chiefs in trouble with all these injuries?
A: Probably not. Coach Reid emphasized these are minor ("nicks and bruises") and everyone should return before the regular season. Preseason is exactly the time to be cautious.
What’s the difference between preseason and regular season?
A: Preseason = 3 practice games (don’t count for standings, used for evaluation). Regular season = 17 games that determine playoffs and championships.