Eric Bieniemy absent from Chiefs camp amid family crisis

Eric Bieniemy away from Chiefs camp with no return date set

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is not at training camp, and no return timetable has been given, after court proceedings connected to his son took an unexpected turn Thursday.

Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested July 27 in Ashburn, Virginia, and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling after allegedly shooting his mother, Mia Bieniemy, 57, twice with a Ruger .22-caliber firearm. Mia Bieniemy called 911 herself and sustained injuries to her left forearm and shoulder. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said July 29 that she is out of intensive care.

Elijah Bieniemy was held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. A motion hearing scheduled for 8:32 a.m. ET Thursday and a preliminary hearing set for August 31 were both continued after a Loudoun County judge granted a competency evaluation requested by the Loudoun County Public Defender's Office. The filing argues Elijah Bieniemy has significant mental health issues and cannot assist in his own defense.

What this means for Chiefs offensive play-calling

Pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier and offensive line coach Andy Heck have absorbed Bieniemy's training camp responsibilities. Reid told reporters he keeps Bieniemy informed and that Bieniemy has access to practice tape, but Reid declined to name a date for his return.

Reid said: "Eric's a big part of this, and so I love having him here, but right now it's important that he takes care of business."

Bieniemy was hired to replace Matt Nagy as Kansas City's offensive coordinator after stints with the Washington Commanders and, most recently, the Chicago Bears as running backs coach.

What fantasy managers holding Chiefs players should do

This is worth watching, not panicking over. Reid runs a system that has survived coordinator turnover before, and Bleymaier is a familiar voice in the building. The offense around Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs, is not going to be scrapped.

That said, if Bieniemy's absence extends deep into camp, it could slow the installation of new concepts and affect the target and touch distribution for receivers and running backs. Check for updates before your draft if it falls in the next few weeks, and monitor beat reporters covering Kansas City for any confirmation that Bieniemy has returned to the facility.