James Winchester, Anthony Hitchens back at practice — but Kelce stays out

Catching up with the team’s injuries after the thrid practice of training camp.

Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester and linebacker Anthony Hitchens were back on the practice field for the team’s third practice of training camp on Friday at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri — but tight end Travis Kelce remained on the sidelines.

On Monday, the Chiefs had put Winchester on their Reserve/COVID list. At the same time, they signed free agent long snapper Drew Scott to take his place. Scott was also at Friday’s practice — so at least for the time being, the Chiefs will be carrying two long snappers on their 90-man roster.

Running back Darwin Thompson remains on the Reserve/COVID list. He did not participate in Friday’s practice.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that Hitchens had “tweaked” a hamstring during Wednesday’s first practice of training camp. He was held out of Thursday’s session. One day of rest appears to have been enough to get him back into playing shape.

Kelce left Thursday’s practice under his own power. The Chiefs later said that the tight end’s back and hips had “tightened up” during the session. About halfway through Friday’s practice, Kelce joined his teammates on the field — but he was without a helmet and did not participate in the team’s activities.

The Chiefs reported no new injuries during Friday’s practice.