Roundup: Chiefs TE Travis Kelce exits practice with back, hip tightness

The early ramp-up portion of training camp has sent Travis Kelce to the showers early.

The veteran tight end left Kansas City's Thursday session prematurely because of tightness in his back and hips, the team announced. The tightness is likely nothing more than that, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, but the Chiefs are taking the cautious approach with a key member of their offense.

Kelce has posted five consecutive 1,000-plus-yard seasons and set career-high marks for receiving yards with 1,416 and receiving touchdowns with 11 in 2020. With his 32nd birthday due to arrive in October, caution is probably the right approach for Kelce, who doesn't appear to be slowing down otherwise any time soon.

In other news and notes we're tracking on Thursday:

• New York Giants guard Shane Lemieux was carted off the field during practice with an apparent injury. Lemieux is slated to start at left guard in 2021, making this development an important one to monitor. After visting this week, veteran running back Alfred Morris will get into the Giants facility early next week with the expectation that he'll re-sign with the club, Pelissero reported, per a source. Morris played in nine games for New York last season.
• Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, dealing with a muscle strain in his throwing shoulder, will be limited at practice, per head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy didn't give a firm timetable for Prescott's return to throwing, stating it could be in the next 2-3 days. Left tackle Tyron Smith won't practice due to elbow tendinitis.
• Tennessee Titans linebacker Bud Dupree, who's already on the active/PUP list, has also been added to the reserve/COVID list, Pelissero reported.
• A day after the Arizona Cardinals placed J.J. Watt (hamstring) on the PUP list, another key player has an injury situation worth monitoring. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins sat out practice with what Kliff Kingsbury described as a "minor thing." Additionally, Cardinals offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum, Rodney Hudson and Justin Pugh and wide receivers KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella are in COVID-19 protocol.
• Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks exited Thursday's practice with a hamstring issue, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. The team said he is undergoing a precautionary evaluation. The Eagles signed safety Obi Melifonwu and receiver Andre Patton.
• The Washington Football Team placed receiver Curtis Samuel, defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis and cornerback Chris Miller on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Washington also activated defensive tackle Tim Settle and signed defensive end Justus Reed and tight end Nick Guggemos.
• The San Francisco 49ers are working out free-agent cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Friday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source. The nine-year veteran had three interceptions in his lone season with the Cardinals in 2020 after spending his first eight years with Cincinnati.
• The New York Jets have their top draft selection under contract. No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson agreed to terms on his rookie deal. Now all 32 first-round picks have signed.
• Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown left practice early and did not return, but coach John Harbaugh told reporters it was for precautionary reasons. Cornerback Marcus Peters did not practice due to a toenail issue, which Harbaugh said should only sideline him for one day.
• The Houston Texans signed wide receiver Jordan Veasy, Rapoport reported, per his agency. The signing follows yesterday's trade of Randall Cobb to the Packers.
• The Indianapolis Colts are expected to sign defensive tackle Joey Ivie, a source tells Rapoport. Ivie's signing is expected once he clears COVID protocols, according to Rapoport, adding the journeyman DT received his vaccination but missed the cutoff. The Colts also signed ex-Vikings cornerback Holton Hilland placed offensive tackle Julie'n Davenport on the reserve/COVID list, the team announced.
• The Miami Dolphins signed guard Ross Reynolds and placed offensive lineman D.J. Fluker on injured reserve. Fluker underwent meniscus surgery Thursday, but should be healthy in three to four weeks after which he is expected to reach an injury settlement with the team, Pelissero reported.
• The Detroit Lions activated receiver Javon McKinley from the active/NFI list.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars activated cornerback Luq Barcoo and quarterback Jake Luton from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived rookie tackle Calvin Ashley and signed Chidi Okeke.
• The Las Vegas Raiders signed running backs Darius Jackson and BJ Emmons.
• The Buffalo Bills signed center Tyler Gauthier and guard Marquel Harrell.