Chiefs cycling through options at right tackle with Mike Remmers injured at training camp
The Kansas City Chiefs continued to search for depth solutions at the right tackle position on Monday.
The starter at right tackle through OTAs and into training camp has been veteran Mike Remmers, who started eight games at right tackle for Kansas City during the regular season in 2020. Contrary to popular belief, Remmers was a serviceable player at the right tackle position last season, but an injury that bothered him last year has seemingly popped up again.
Remmers missed a portion of Week 14 and the entirety of Week 15 last season due to a back injury. During Friday’s practice Remmers came out for a play or two before returning to action, but he’s been absent from practice for the past two days with back spasms. As Chiefs fans are well aware, back injuries for offensive linemen can vary. Last season, a back injury ended the season for starting RT Mitchell Schwartz.
With Remmers out of practice on Saturday and Monday, the team relied mostly on “rookie” OT Lucas Niang to fill in with the starters. Niang opted out of the 2020 NFL season after being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft. He’s essentially a rookie this year, having sat out the entirety of the year last season. His rookie status is proving to be the case at training camp as he has seen plenty of ups and downs through a few days of practice as a starter.
It appears starting RT Mike Remmers is not present today. We’ll learn more later. Rookie Lucas Niang (TCU) has been getting reps with the first-team offense at that spot. #Chiefs
— Tommy Rezac (@TommyKFEQ) July 31, 2021
Lucas Niang looked composed today on the right side.
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) July 31, 2021
That is an outstanding rep from Lucas Niang on one of the BEST D-line man in the game. What a recovery, giving your mobile QB an lane to scoot through. https://t.co/aBBKADZpcy
— Brett Yarris (@BrettYarrisPFN) July 31, 2021
Frank Clark just worked Lucas Niang.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 2, 2021
Darius Harris just leaped for an interception on Patrick Mahomes. Harris was covering Travis Kelce near the sideline.
Lucas Niang also had a great series of repetitions, as he faced both Frank Clark & Chris Jones.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 2, 2021
A big story about Niang out of rookie minicamp was his conditioning, but Chiefs HC Andy Reid seems to think he’s in great shape and has done well in his limited action as a starter.
“Yeah, he’s in great shape right now,” Reid said. “He worked his tail off this offseason, came back early. He and (Joe) Thuney were in there every day working and it’s showing out here. He’s doing a nice job so far.”
In addition to Niang, the Chiefs took a look at Andrew Wylie mixing in at the spot for some repetitions. Wylie is now the veteran in the room entering his fifth season with the team. He also has some experience at the right tackle spot as he got the start in Week 15 against the New Orleans Saints last year. He was also the starting right tackle in Super Bowl LV, which is something that probably isn’t worn as a badge of honor.
Andrew Wylie came in for Lucas Niang at right tackle midway through this final team period. Niang ran off right up to OL coach Andy Heck, who said something to Niang as he pointed downfield.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) August 2, 2021
Andrew Wylie is getting run when the 1s at right tackle. He replaces Lucas Niang for a few repetitions.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) August 2, 2021
The Chiefs did a lot to work throughout the offseason to reinforce their offensive line, but right now we’re learning that they’re still working through their depth at the position. If the season started tomorrow, I’m not sure how confident they’d be in that depth. Yes, the young players like Niang are still learning and have done a good job so far, but it’s clear that they need more work.
“I’m very excited about those young guys,” Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy said following Monday’s practice. “Coach Heck is a hell of a coach. He does a great job of communicating. He’s done a great job over the years of teaching. He has a way with those guys. Those guys are doing a good job. Are they right where we need them to be? No. But that’s what training camp is for.”
If a player like Niang or Wylie doesn’t turn out to be the solution, the Chiefs could turn to a veteran like Kyle Long when he returns from his tibia injury. Long started all 16 games he played in 2015 at right tackle and earned his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Another potential solution? A reunion with former starting right tackle Mitchell Schwartz could be on the table, but he too needs to get healthy.
“I’m still kind of working through the injury,” Schwartz told 610 Sports Radio on July 27th. “It’s taking a little longer than I was hoping it was going to take, but that stuff happens. (I’m) still doing rehab every day or every weekday, working through it and that’s all I can really do right now. The last time I was on I said, ‘When I’m healthy, I’ll figure it out.’ and I’m still kind of there, unfortunately.”
For now, Chiefs fans should remain hopeful that Niang is the solution as he continues to earn meaningful repetitions in practice. This spot could turn into a future worry as training camp and the attrition that comes with it unfolds.
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