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Chiefs end defensive starter's season ahead of AFC Championship Game

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Charles Goldman | Last updated 1/26/24

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a pair of roster moves on the defensive side of the ball ahead of the AFC Championship Game vs. the Baltimore Ravens.

The team announced on Friday that they have placed DT Derrick Nnadi on injured reserve. Nnadi suffered a triceps injury in the wild-card round against the Miami Dolphins. He's since had surgery to repair the injury, but it took some time for the team to make a transaction involving the veteran defensive lineman.

With only two games left to be played in the postseason, this move ends Nnadi's 2023 NFL season. He recorded 29 total tackles and a sack on the year. He's a pending free agent in Kansas City and entering his seventh NFL season in 2024.

The corresponding move that the Chiefs made on Friday is also quite telling about their injury situation.

We have signed Practice Squad player LB Darius Harris to an active roster contract.

We have placed DT Derrick Nnadi on reserve/injured. pic.twitter.com/25HQd1od1M
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 26, 2024

The Chiefs signed LB Darius Harris to the 53-man roster from the practice squad. This is the second time this season that Harris has been on the 53-man roster for Kansas City. He has experience playing all three linebacker positions, also special teams, and he has even started games in the past for Kansas City.

It's a notable move given Willie Gay Jr.'s questionable game status designation (see injury report below). If Gay Jr. is unable to play Harris would reinforce depth behind the five linebackers on the 53-man roster right now: Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquill, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, and Cole Christiansen.

Look for the Chiefs to make practice squad elevations along the defensive line tomorrow to help compensate for Nnadi's loss. Last week they elevated DT Mike Pennel and DT Matt Dickerson.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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