Chiefs Made 15 Roster Moves, Included Daniel Sorensen Release
By Ben Nielsen
November 17, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson (99) stretches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City made six moves to their 53-man roster on Tuesday. Here they are:
RELEASED: S Daniel Sorensen
SIGNED: DL Kevin Vickerson
PROMOTED: WR Dwayne Bowe (suspension), LB Jerry Franklin (practice squad)
INJURED-RESERVE: LB Derrick Johnson and DL Mike DeVito
Releasing Sorensen is something of a surprise since he was the team’s third safety on the depth chart behind starters Eric Berry and Husain Abdullah. There were also a lot of hopes about what he could contribute to the special teams in coverage. Sorensen even saw 18 snaps on defense in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee.
Who do the Chiefs plan on being the primary backup to Berry and Abdullah? Keep in mind both suffered minor injuries in Sunday’s loss and Berry is still dealing with his heel problem.
Part of the reason why Sorensen had to be let go is because with Johnson’s injury it meant the Chiefs only had two inside linebackers on the roster, James-Michael Johnson and Josh Mauga. That’s doubles as a blow to the special teams, who will lose JMJ’s services. This is why Jerry Franklin received a promotion over Nico Johnson because Franklin is a better special teams player than Nico.
Bowe being promoted to the 53-man roster is not a surprise but not waiving a receiver in hopes of stashing him on the practice squad is a bit of a surprise. KC now has six wide receivers on the roster and that does not include the snaps De’Anthony Thomas expects to see at receiver. Albert Wilson did not see the field on Sunday, and in 33 snaps Junior Hemingway notched a -1.6 PFF grad and no catches on two targets.
News of Vickerson’s signing broke last night but was made official late this afternoon. He’ll start as the backup to Vance Walker at left defensive end and should see some significant snaps on obvious running downs.