Game: Kansas City Chiefs @ New Orleans Saints
Date / Time: Sunday, August 13, 2023, at 12 P.M. CT
Place: Caesar Superdome
TV: NFL NETWORK
Listen: 106.5 The Wolf (Kansas City residences only)
Betting Line (BetUS): Chiefs +1 – Under/Over: 37.5
Football is finally back when the Kansas City Chiefs take the field on Sunday for their first scrimmage of the NFL preseason against the New Orleans Saints inside the Caesar Superdome at noon, CDT. This week will be the first opportunity for many players on Kansas City’s 90-man roster to leave everything they have on an NFL playing surface and show the coaching staff why they deserve to we a red helmet in the fall.
Head coach Andy Reid took to the podium on Friday morning following his team’s 10-10-10 practice to describe his plan for how much playing time his guys will see this weekend.
“I’ve got it scheduled by quarterback,” said Reid. “The ones will take the first quarter, twos the second quarter, threes the third quarter, fours the last quarter… special teams is a little different. Substitutions end up being a big thing in the preseason, juggling a lot of bodies.”
If history is any indication, however, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the starting offense will likely only see a series before their day ends. We’ll likely see plenty of new backup QB and former Mizzou standout Blaine Gabbert for most of the first half.
Kansas City does have a few injuries going into Sunday’s matchup. Reid noted on Friday that tight end Jody Forston (shoulder), running back Isiah Pacheco (hand/labrum), cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (knee), wide receiver Kadarius Toney (knee) and defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee) would not participate in the game. Finally, star defensive tackle Chris Jones continues to be a no-show at training camp and isn’t expected to suit up with his teammates as his holdout for a contract extension continues.
Reid confirmed defensive end Charles Omenihu, who signed with Kansas City in free agency and will be serving a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, will see the field this week. Blake Bell will see more snaps to fill in for Fortson, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will probably be the Chiefs’ starting tailback as Isiah Pacheco continues his rehab.
Kadarius Toney’s injury means the Chiefs’ top three wide receivers will be Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Justin Watson. No Chris Jones nor Tershawn Wharton means former Kansas Jayhawks product Daniel Wise will likely start next to Derrick Nnadi, per the team’s unofficial depth chart that was released earlier this week.
Kansas City went 2-1 in the preseason last year before eventually winning Super Bowl 57. The Chiefs are entering a brand new campaign with aspirations of hosting a Lombardi in back-to-back seasons, which has not occurred since the 2003-04 New England Patriots.
