KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After Saturday night's lopsided loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Kansas City Chiefs have the look of a team that could use another month of training camp before being ready for the regular season.
They won’t have that luxury. They have a couple of practices and the final preseason game against the Green Bay Packers this week and then the Chiefs begin preparations for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener.
Despite indications that their problems are widespread, coach Andy Reid said he didn’t believe the Chiefs were far from being ready for that opener against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead Stadium.
“It sure didn’t seem this way last night but as you study the film you’re not that far away from being where you need to be," Reid said.
“It’s important we get some of guys back that are right on the edge of being able to practice ... because of injury. Then as many reps as we can get, whether it’s in practice or in games, I think are important at some positions."
Among the injured players who weren’t available against the Vikings, running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe appear they could return soon. Charles, who has a bruised foot, suited up for the Minnesota game but didn’t play.
Reid indicated Berry, who has yet to play in the preseason because of a sore heel, would try to get at least some work in this week.
Reid didn’t specify position groups that could use the extra work but is most likely referring to the offensive line, where things have been unsettled. Most of the starting linemen stayed in the game on Saturday night after starters at other positions were finished for the night.
Reid didn’t say the starters at any of the positions wouldn’t play in Green Bay, but indicated he usually holds his starters out of the final exhibition game.
The Chiefs on defense allowed pass plays of 31 and 53 yards on Minnesota's first possession. Long pass plays were a consistent problem for the Chiefs last season.
“Then our defense came out and played just like they play," Reid said. "They weren’t fully loaded at every position from a defensive standpoint but they just really played good football."
The starting offense moved the ball but repeatedly bogged down inside the Minnesota 20. Once there, quarterback Alex Smith threw two interceptions and the Chiefs had to settle once for a field goal.
“The interceptions aren't normally Alex's M.O.," Reid said. “They’re very correctable. I can help him with that, with the play-call and design of things and so on."
The Chiefs are usually dominant on special teams but even there showed some cracks against Minnesota. They allowed a 75-yard punt return.
“We have the guys to fix the problem," Reid said.