FPC Chiefs News Roundup: Ross, Brown Jr. And More

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The excitement is in the air surrounding the NFL and many teams around the league. Training camps are now in full swing. Preseason games are just around two weeks away. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs continue to garner many headlines around the league.

What are the latest news updates pertaining to the Chiefs? Where do things stand with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. following his decision to turn down a long-term deal with Kansas City? What does the most recent update on Justyn Ross mean for the team’s wide receiver position? There are more items to touch on as well. It is now time to catch up on our latest FPC Chiefs news roundup. Let’s kick it off.

Chiefs Place Justyn Ross On Injured Reserve

One of the more polarizing undrafted free agents of this most recent NFL Draft cycle, wide receiver Justyn Ross chose to sign with Kansas City. There were some catches that he made that were simply eye-popping during team OTAs. In addition, Ross appeared to be moving smooth and with fine pace, given his recent fusion surgery on his neck and spine within the last two years. Alas, that early excitement will have to wait for Ross in the Chiefs offense.

The team announced on Monday that they were placing him on the injured reserve list. He is fresh off of foot surgery, after feeling some discomfort. Furthermore, there was a recent photo posted of Ross on Twitter that showed him in a walking boot.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed Justyn Ross had foot surgery to correct surgery that happened in late November 2021. This photo (IG: will_finley6) had been circulating in recent weeks.

“It’s going to take time [to heal],” Reid said. pic.twitter.com/oB8qLAQ0R1

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 22, 2022

Because he was placed on the IR list before the first roster cutdown day, Ross cannot return this season. While that gives him and the team an initial sting, it could also be a blessing in disguise for both parties. Ross can take more time to get fully healed and learn the Kansas City offense further on the side. From the Chiefs perspective, they won’t lose him from the roster and will stash him for 2023. Beyond that, the team does not have many wide receivers signed under contract after 2022. Ross may have a leg up in gaining the coaches’ attention, to a degree, as a result.

Is Orlando Brown Jr. Going To Be Present At Kansas City’s Training Camp?

It has been quite the offseason for Orlando Brown Jr. He was hit with the franchise tag by the Chiefs early in the spring. There was hope that both sides could potentially get a long-term extension done. That was even expressed by Brown Jr. himself. However, an agreement was not reached before the July 15th deadline for franchise tagged players. Kansas City reportedly offered him a six-year deal worth a total of $139 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

That may seem like a fair deal, overall. Though, the structure of the deal was an item that led to some discouragement from Brown Jr. and his camp. It would have been a back-loaded contract, if he were to agree to that contract. Due to a long-term deal not being reached, the blocker would play this season on the franchise tag. He would then earn $16.7 million for the 2022 season.

Nonetheless, that franchise tag tender has not yet been signed by Brown Jr. He does not plan to show up to Chiefs training camp either, it appears. Via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, “he is not reporting to training camp and likely will not be there for quite some time. I didn’t expect him at training camp. And, I said even Week 1 could be potentially in question for Orlando Brown Jr.,” said Garafolo. “We’ll see how that goes, but for the time being, we are not expecting Orlando Brown Jr. at training camp any time soon.”

Darian Kinnard Preparing For “Whatever Position I Need To Play At”

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Because of that last paragraph, there could be a possibility that the Chiefs will turn to a different option at left tackle to start the season. There are a couple of options in-house that could make sense. First off, Joe Thuney can play left tackle in a pinch. He did it while in college football at NC State and during one of his seasons with the New England Patriots. Despite sticking at left guard last season, Thuney is well-versed from a technical standpoint all across the offensive line.

Interestingly, Chiefs rookie fifth-round pick Darian Kinnard is also preparing to play different offensive line positions. He was expected to come in and compete for the right tackle job immediately alongside Andrew Wylie and possibly Lucas Niang, depending on health. Kinnard recently spoke about his preparation during the early days of Kansas City training camp.

When asked about potentially playing left tackle, Kinnard responded by saying “who knows? Right now, I’m playing right (tackle)… whatever position I need to play at. (Offensive line) Coach (Andy) Heck put it in my head- ‘get reps at either,”’ the rookie said. “I’m not going to be very valuable if I only play one position. So, I’m going to do my best. He wants to have confidence to come up to me at the end of the day and say, ‘play guard.’ And I’ll play guard. But, I’m just learning one day at a time.”

Kinnard is known for his mauling presence and battle-tested mindset coming out of Kentucky. Now in the Chiefs offense, he is looking to become more technically sound. Kinnard is working to attain that by working at any position on the offensive line that he can.

Chiefs Alternate Uniforms?

The recent stretch of NFL news has been contained with the ever-evolving uniform combinations of NFL teams. As Schefter noted last weekend, 14 teams will wear new alternate helmets this season. Many teams have ushered in a new black alternate helmet. Some of those look better than others and have been reacted to with differing opinions. Namely, the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints have all announced a new black alternate helmet.

The Chiefs have not announced any new helmet or alternate uniform. At least, not yet. Kansas City team president Mark Donovan recently spoke about this at the start of training camp.

Honoring Tradition

“To honor tradition is one of our core, fundamental values. But, I go back to that balance point of- if you look more and more and especially this season- it just seems like with all the black helmets coming out and all the alternative uniforms that are out there,” Donovan said.

“I don’t want to create hope where there isn’t hope, but I will say this… there’s an open discussion,” he added. “There is definitely more of a consideration than there has ever been. A couple of our teammates on our side kept pushing me and we have opened the discussion again.”

Red, Gold and Black?

Branding and style can create so many opportunities, both in sports and outside of it. Honoring tradition is completely understandable. Quite frankly, the classic red, white and gold look of the Chiefs is one of the sharper designs in the NFL. Even still, a black helmet with possibly a red facemask, or even a black alternate jersey could pop for the Kansas City Chiefs more than most may realize. Time will obviously tell on the alternate uniform front for KC.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.