The entire Kansas City Chiefs team gathered for the first full-team practice of training camp Wednesday, everybody except offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, that is. After frightening news that his wife, Mia Bieniemy, was shot at home in Virginia on Sunday evening, he has been with her and family, away from the team.
After the first practice, head coach Andy Reid made sure to update local media on Mia’s condition.
“She’s doing better, great from where she was,” Reid told reporters after Wednesday’s
practice. “Out of the ICU unit and making progress. We’re happy about that.”
“EB’s still with her, and that part is important that that’s taking place,” Reid emphasized.
With pass-game coordinator Joe Bleymaier, run-game coordinator Andy Heck and wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea stepping up in Bieniemy’s place during practice, Reid is not giving any thought to a timeline for the offensive coordinator’s return.
“I just want to make sure she’s taken care of and Eric Junior too,” Reid said. “He’s got the other part of that he has to sort out.”
“Let him take care of that,” Reid went on. “We stay in touch with him, keep him abreast of everything that’s going on. He’s got the tape he can watch in whatever spare time he’s got there.”
The Chiefs will continue on with practice on Thursday, and the team should have a little more comfort in Bieniemy’s situation knowing Mia is making progress in recovery.
