ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of Kansas City Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University:
The Chiefs continued to get a long look at young defensive lineman Jaye Howard, who has been starting in place of the injured Mike DeVito, who has a broken hand. Howard received the second-most snaps of any Chiefs defensive player in the preseason opener against Cincinnati, and from all appearances Howard will play a lot in Sunday night's game against the Panthers in Charlotte. They kept Howard on their active roster all season last year after claiming him off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks, and even though he played in just three games they obviously they saw plenty of talent to work with. They may be seeing the payoff. Howard had a sack and was second on the Chiefs in tackles against the Bengals.
Developmental quarterback Tyler Bray continued to flash the talent that makes him an intriguing prospect to the Chiefs. He has the best arm among the four quarterbacks in camp and he showed it off on a pair of back-to-back plays. He threw a deep ball that was well-placed between defenders that A.J. Jenkins couldn't quite catch up with. Bray then threw a dart for a big gain to Frankie Hammond Jr.
For veteran help at safety, the Chiefs turned to Jonathon Amaya, who participated in practice on Monday after taking the roster spot of the suddenly retired Steve Gregory. Amaya played in 38 games over three seasons with the Saints and Dolphins. After Gregory left camp, the Chiefs had precious little NFL experience at safety behind the starters, Eric Berry and Husain Abdullah. Amaya could still conceivably make the regular-season roster, but that could depend more on how young safeties like Daniel Sorensen and Malcolm Bronson fare the rest of training camp and the preseason.
Another practice session came and went with rookie Cairo Santos doing all the kicking. Incumbent Ryan Succop has a sore groin and hasn't kicked since the Cincinnati game. The Chiefs haven't gone with a rookie kicker to begin a season since 2009, when Succop entered the league. But that possibility is looking more and more likely.
The Chiefs practice again on Tuesday at 9:15 ET/8:15 a.m. CT.
