The Kansas City Chiefs have lost Ashton Lampkin, a cornerback vying for a fringe roster spot due to a torn ACL.
Every year, one or more rookie free agents end up making the Kansas City Chiefs, surprising a few people along the way as the team makes room for an unexpected entrant. Cornerback Ashton Lampkin was hoping to be one such player for the Chiefs this year as a special teams ace and defensive back from Oklahoma State University. He’d impressed so far in rookie minicamp and played well during OTAs and the preseason, lasting longer than many of his peers. Unfortunately his journey to make the active roster is now over with injury news of a torn ACL that will force him to miss the rest of the season.
Rookie CB Ashton Lampkin has a torn ACL. He suffered the injury Sunday.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 29, 2017
Lampkin was projected to be a very late round pick or rookie free agent coming into the draft season, but he’d surprised early in minicamp with the Chiefs along with his former teammate Jordan Sterns. The pair had played together for the Cowboys in the Big 12 and both were making an impression in camp. Sterns was then cut later in the summer, but Lampkin continued to earn a closer look with the Chiefs heralded coaching staff of Al Harris and Emmitt Thomas.
Lampkin, who intercepted Jameis Winston in his first ever college start, said he knew his position would come down to hard work and he’d done just that, showcasing a willingness to do what it takes in the defensive backfield and on special teams. It was the same approach employed during his college days where he had 25 special teams tackles.
Now Lampkin will begin rehab after undoubtedly being placed on injured reserve. If anything, he will have plenty of time to absorb the playbook, study film and get ready for a more seasoned run next summer.