Per the NFL’s transaction report on Tuesday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs have activated rookie defensive end Joshua Kaindoh off of injured reserve, where the former Flordia State product spent all of his rookie season since he sustained an ankle injury back in October.
Kansas City drafted Kaindoh with the 144th overall pick from this past year’s draft and was designated to return to practice on December 22. Thus, allowing a three-week window for the team to bring him onto the active roster.
The move gives Kansas City a full 53-man roster and more depth on the defensive line going into the postseason as the Chiefs prepare for Pittsburgh on Sunday night as part of the league’s wildcard round.
To go along with the activation of Kaindoh, Kansas City protected wide receiver Darius Fountain, preventing another team from signing him off the practice squad during the playoffs.
The Chiefs also signed the following seven players to Reserve/Future contracts for 2022:
RB Brenden Knox
WR Omar Bayless
WR Gary Jennings
WR Mathew Sexton
TE Jordon Franks
DT Darrius Stills
DT Lorenzo Neal Jr.
All seven players will not be available to Kansas City during the 2021 postseason, and their contracts will not become valid until the start of the new league year in mid-March.
Interestingly, two of the newly-signed players are the sons of two former NFL players. Darrius Stills is the son of former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Gary Stills, who played for the team from 1999-2005. Lorenzon Neal Jr. is the offspring of All-Pro fullback Lorenzo Neal, who notably played for the San Diego Chargers from 2003-2008.
