Dave Toub explains presence of rookie WR Cyrus Allen on special teams at practice

Promising Chiefs rookie receiver Cyrus Allen exited Saturday’s practice on a cart. The injury happened while he was filling the role of gunner on the punt team.

That has prompted some Chiefs fans to question why in the hell Cyrus Allen was serving as a gunner on the punt team.

Chiefs special-teams coordinator Dave Toub addressed the issue in a post-practice press conference with reporters.

“I hate to see somebody get hurt, especially on special teams,” Toub said, via Nate Taylor of ESPN. “He’s doing well on offense and for me, too. He was a gunner and a returner. Everyone is on special teams until they aren’t. Everyone starts as a four-phase guy, especially rookies.”

Toub added that first-round cornerback Mansoor Delane would also be practicing on special teams, but for his shoulder injury. Toub also said that, once upon a time, tight end Travis Kelce practiced on special teams.

It’s another example of the delicate balance of getting a football team ready for the season while keeping the individual players as healthy as possible. If too many players are kept in bubble wrap during August, it becomes difficult to compete in September.