Chiefs DL stable after cardiac arrest
The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs canceled organized team activities and media availability Thursday after backup defensive lineman B.J. Thompson was taken to a hospital in stable condition after reportedly having a seizure and going into cardiac arrest during a team meeting.
Team trainers and medical staff were able to react quickly and treat Thompson, 25, until paramedics arrived.
The Chiefs planned to wrap up their voluntary offseason workouts Thursday, but a team spokesman said the practice would be pushed to Friday. That’s when coach Andy Reid and other players will speak to reporters.
The 27-year-old Thompson was a fifthround pick of the Chiefs out of Stephen F. Austin in last year’s draft. The only game he appeared in was their regular-season finale against the Chargers. Thompson had two tackles in that game.
The Chiefs’ mandatory three-day minicamp is scheduled to begin Tuesday before the club breaks for the summer ahead of training camp.
Vikings to debut alternate unis vs. Bears
The Vikings became the latest team to unveil an alternate uniform. The “Winter Warrior” uniforms will debut Dec. 16 in a “Monday Night Football” game against the Bears in Minneapolis. Per league rules, it also can be worn a second time this season.
The unis will feature a white helmet with a silver stripe, both firsts in the franchise’s history. A silver stripe also adorns the pant legs. Gold has been stripped from this version.
The number font includes “dripping icicle serifs,” and the neckline has a new “Nordic knot” as part of a presentation the team deems the “coldest uniform in the league.” Per the club, the knot “includes three shields, a nod to Head Coach Kevin O’Connell’s mantra: ‘Our Way. Our Team. Our Process.’ ”
“This uniform celebrates Minnesota and Nordic Vikings,” said Jackie Ramacher, the Vikings’ art manager.
Minnesota began wearing white jerseys and white pants (with the traditional purple helmets) in 2022 as part of a “Winter Whiteout” theme, much to fans’ glee.
This and that
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson played it safe on the final day of minicamp by resting his sore right shoulder. The second-year player had season-ending surgery on the shoulder last fall and participated in workouts Tuesday and Wednesday before trainers told him to take it easy.
♦ The Giants are waiting patiently for tight end Darren Waller to decide whether he wants to play this season. Coach Brian Daboll said he has communicated with Waller throughout the offseason, adding the team is not pushing him for a decision.
♦ Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said he will attend the team’s mandatory minicamp next week amid a contract dispute. He led the team with 10 touchdown receptions last season.
♦ Former Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard agreed to a one-year deal with the Buccaneers, reuniting with Baker Mayfield.
♦ Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is bulking up in preparation for the new kickoff rules.