Chiefs DE B.J. Thompson stable but unconscious following seizure, cardiac arrest at OTAs

The Kansas City Chiefs return to the practice field on Friday after canceling Thursday’s on-field activities due to a medical emergency involving second-year defensive end B.J. Thompson. The former undrafted rookie free agent suffered a seizure and went into cardiac arrest during a special teams meeting on Thursday. Kansas City’s medical and training staffs tended to Thompson until an ambulance arrived to take him to a local hospital where he was put in stable condition.

On Thursday afternoon, the defensive end’s agent, Chris Turnage, spoke to NFL insider Tom Pelissero to provide an update, telling the reporter that Thompson is stable, but remains unconscious.

“BJ is still unconscious at this point, but he’s stable and vitals are good. His family asks for your continued prayers,” Turnage said.

Thompson was a fifth-round pick for the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Stephen F. Austin. Thompson, an Arkansas native, initially started his career at Baylor before transferring to SFA in 2020. He became an immediate impact player for the Lumberjacks. The second-year defender saw action in one game as a rookie for the Chiefs, posting two tackles in a January matchup against the Chargers. He won his first Super Bowl ring with Kansas City in Super Bowl LVIII.

Thompson, an Arkansas native, initially started his career at Baylor before transferring to SFA in 2020. He became an immediate impact player for the Lumberjacks. He posted 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2020, and 12.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 2021. In his final season before entering the draft, Thompson had 23 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles in 2022.

While at Baylor, he played in nine games as a freshman and made one start. In 2018, he had just two starts but played in 10 games. He finished second on the team with four sacks, adding 5.5 TFL and 15 total tackles.

Chiefs re-sign Mecole Hardman for 2024

Before Thursday’s OTAs, the Chiefs reportedly signed former second-round pick Mecole Hardman to a new deal in free agency. The former Georgia Bulldogs star is signing a new one-year deal, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Hardman became a free agent in March when his one-year deal expired. Now, he officially knows where he’ll play the 2024 season, his sixth in the league.

Drafted by the Chiefs in the 2019 NFL Draft, Hardman began his career in Kansas City. He played five seasons for them and won two Super Bowl rings before signing with the Jets as a first-time free agent. His 2023 season with New York took a dramatic turn after starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear in Week 1. The team traded him to Kansas City, along with a 2025 seventh-round selection, in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round selection.

Hardman’s return to Kansas City last season came at a very opportune time. He closed out the year playing six regular-season games for the Chiefs, tallying 14 catches for 118 yards. The real benefit came, however, in the postseason. He ended up catching the winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, helping lift the team over the 49ers in overtime. He finished the championship game with three receptions for 57 yards and the touchdown.