Getty Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton.
The Kansas City Chiefs rookies and quarterbacks reported to training camp on Tuesday, July 18, and on the same day head coach Andy Reid had his first official press conference of the 2023 season.
During his presser, Big Red gave an injury update on third-year defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, who suffered a torn ACL during the 2022 season. Reid said that Wharton will begin training camp on the active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
Tershawn Wharton will start training camp on the PUP list, per Coach Reid.
Because he is beginning camp on the PUP list, Wharton can be activated at any time between now and the regular season. However, if he remains on the PUP list when the regular season begins he will have to miss the first four games of the regular season.
Wharton, 25, entered the NFL undrafted out of Missouri S&T in 2020. He joined the Chiefs after the draft that year, and his athleticism helped him carve out a role in Kansas City’s defense as a rookie.
During his rookie season, Wharton played in all 16 regular season games and registered 27 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 4 quarterback hits, and 2 sacks while playing 48% of the team’s defensive snaps according to Pro Football Reference.
During the 2021 season, Wharton had similar production, as he recorded 29 tackles, 2 quarterback hits, and 2 sacks in 17 regular season games played. He also had 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 sack in three playoff games that season.
In the five games Wharton played prior to his season-ending injury in 2022, he registered 8 tackles, 4 quarterback hits, and 1 tackle for loss while playing 44% of the team’s defensive snaps, which ranked second-most among Kansas City’s defensive tackles last season.
Isiah Pacheco’s Status Unknown For Camp
Along with the update on Tershawn Wharton, Andy Reid was also asked about second-year running back Isiah Pacheco, who underwent offseason surgery for a broken hand and a torn labrum.
The chance does exist that Pacheco could begin training camp on the PUP list as well, but Reid said the team has yet to make a decision on that front.
“I think we’ll have enough time,” Reid said of Pacheco’s status. “Let’s see how this all goes. Curious to talk to him, I haven’t seen him yet, and likewise (Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance) Rick (Burkholder) is going to talk to him.”
Andy Reid said the Chiefs would soon make the decision whether Isiah Pacheco would start camp on an injured list or be available when practice begins
Andy Reid: I Look At Plays Instead of Reading Books
Andy Reid was asked during his presser on July 18 how he spent his time off ahead of training camp. His answer was short but provided a glimpse into how passionate he is about the game of football.
“Some people read novels. I look at plays,” Reid said.
Andy Reid on how he spends his time off before training camp:
“Some people read novels. I look at plays.”
Twitter reacted to Big Red’s response.
“That’s why he stays relevant and has evolved with other coaches are stuck in there ways,” one Twitter user wrote.
@PatrickMahomes That’s why he stays relevant and has evolved with other coaches are stuck in there ways
“Im almost positive that Mahomes and Kelce could come up with their own playbook that would be Andy Reid approved,” another user wrote.
@PatrickMahomes Im almost positive that Mahomes and Kelce could come up with their own playbook that would be Andy Reid approved.. 😅✌️🤘👍
“Seriously. How lucky are we as Chiefs fans and players to have this guy leading the way,” another user wrote.
@PatrickMahomes Seriously. How lucky are we as Chiefs fans and players to have this guy leading the way.
“Sadly, whenever you retire, Andy, I’ll recommend some books for you,” another user wrote.
@PatrickMahomes Sadly, whenever you retire, Andy, I’ll recommend some books for you.