3 Chiefs impressing as training camp standouts, 1 loser from camp so far

Chiefs biggest loser of training camp so far: Kadarius Toney, WR

Speaking of the WR1 in the Chiefs offense, much of the talk coming out of free agency when Kansas City didn’t sign much in the way of wide receiver talent with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman signing elsewhere was that Kadarius Toney, who the franchise acquired via trade last season, would step into that role.

The big caveat for that, though, was that Toney needed to stay healthy.

Predictably, that hasn’t been the case. On the first day of training camp, Toney reportedly tweaked his knee while fielding punts as a returner. That has since been reported as a partial meniscus tear that will sideline him likely into the start of the regular season.

Since the Giants drafted him in the first round back in 2021, health has been the biggest issue for Toney. He’s immensely talented, as we’ve seen even in Kansas City when he’s been on the field. But a combination of hamstring and other lower-body injuries have made the best ability (availability) an issue for the dynamic pass-catcher.

We’re not going to fault a guy for getting hurt, to be clear. Injuries are a part of the game and, unfortunately, talented players can also be injury-prone, which appears to be the case with Toney.

Having said that, this was a massive opportunity for the young receiver to really take control as the leader of the pass-catching corps. In his absence, however, guys like Justyn Ross, rookie Rashee Rice and others have started to take up the mantle as the leaders of that group. Because of that, it’s hard not to look at Toney as a loser of training camp for the Chiefs thus far.