Chiefs Kingdom is definitely buzzing with the news: Patrick Mahomes and Rashee Rice are officially cleared and ready to rock for the opening of training camp. That’s the kind of stability you want from your superstar QB and a key receiver. But hold up, because there’s a serious wrench in the works for two other players trying to make their mark. Rookie tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and second-year defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott are both starting camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. For young guys with so much to prove, this is a seriously tough break right out of the gate.
Norman-Lott’s ACL Nightmare Lingers
Let’s talk Omarr Norman-Lott first, because this isn’t just some minor camp ding. This dude, a second-round pick from the 2025 draft, tore the ACL in his right knee way back in Week 7 of last season, during a brutal game against the Raiders. Seriously, think about that timeline for a second. We’re talking July, and he’s still sidelined after an injury from last fall. It’s a huge question mark hanging over his recovery. As a rookie, Norman-Lott showed flashes of promise in the five games he played, racking up five tackles and a sack. He’s got that potential, that raw talent. But to still be on the PUP list as camp opens, when every single rep matters for a guy trying to solidify his spot and climb the depth chart? That’s gotta be an absolute gut punch for him. The path back to the 90-player roster requires him to pass a physical, and the longer he’s out, the harder it gets to make an impact.
Gyllenborg’s Uphill Battle As a Rookie
Then we’ve got John Michael Gyllenborg, an undrafted rookie tight end who inked a deal with the Chiefs earlier this year. Every undrafted free agent knows they’re already facing an uphill climb, and Gyllenborg’s journey just got a whole lot steeper. He’s battling a knee sprain, an injury that kept him completely out of the offseason program. Missing all those crucial spring reps, all that time learning the playbook and building chemistry, and now he’s starting camp on the physically unable to perform list too? That’s a massive setback. For a guy who needs every single opportunity to impress the coaches, every drill, every snap to show he belongs on that 90-player roster, this is a brutal blow. He needs to get healthy and pass that physical ASAP, because the clock is already ticking for him in a crowded tight end room.
Looking Ahead: The Road to Recovery
So, while Mahomes and Rice are ready to roll, these two young Chiefs have a critical challenge ahead of them. The focus for Norman-Lott and Gyllenborg right now isn’t about making highlight plays; it’s about getting healthy, passing those physicals, and getting back on the field. The Chiefs’ depth will be tested early if these guys remain sidelined for an extended period. We’ll be keeping a close eye on their progress, hoping for quick recoveries so they can contribute. Every player matters, and getting these guys back on the field is key for the team’s overall health and competition as we move towards the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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