The Chiefs had two veteran defensive players missing from OTAs this year and they know that one of them won’t be back for this week’s mandatory minicamp after releasing cornerback Brandon Flowers last week.
It’s still up in the air about the other one. Coach Andy Reid said on 810 WHB that he doesn’t know whether or not linebacker Justin Houston, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal and looking for an extension, will be at the mandatory minicamp that opens on Tuesday.
“I don’t know that,” Reid said, via Arrowhead Pride. “I expect them all to be here and then whoever is here, we’re going to coach them. If they don’t show up, I understand the profession. I’ve been around it a long time and I just move on. That’s how it works. You coach who you have, and you coach them like crazy.”
Reid said he thought Houston missed some new things during OTAs and said he thought there was a lot of talent at the position, including first-round pick Dee Ford, in the event Houston continues to stay away from the team. Neither of those things is likely to make the Chiefs less interested in retaining Houston, who has 26.5 sacks in three years with the team.