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The Kansas City Chiefs can hold padded training camp practices for the first time this offseason beginning today.

The team has left the gradual ramp-up period and entered what is described by the NFL and NFLPA as the contact integration period of training camp.  During this period a number of things can happen, but the most significant change is the inclusion of pads and full contact. The Chiefs and the Houston Texans will be the first teams to practice in pads as they open the season on Sept. 10.

The Chiefs can hold a maximum of 14 padded practices during the 21-day contact integration period. These will be 90-minute practices with 15-minute increases each day up to 120-minute practices in total. No practice duration increase or decrease following a day off is permitted during this period.

With the lack of preseason games, these 14 padded practices will be pivotal for teams and players. They’ll be especially important for rookie players as they get acclimated to the speed of the NFL game. It’ll be important for the offensive line building chemistry. They’ll be important for defenders getting ready for contact. It’ll be important for veteran players, to get their bodies prepared for the rigors of the 2020 NFL season. With pads and live contact also comes the risk of injury, which is something we’ll have to watch closely for the next 21 days.

Chiefs fans can see a live look-in from practice with Mitch Holthus and Matt McMullen on the official team YouTube channel and Facebook page. The show is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. CT on both Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15.