Kansas City Chiefs practice squad includes Arrion Springs, Chase Litton
By Matt Conner
Meet the 10 members of the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, at least the version that opens the regular season.
The waiver claims have been processed. Minor trades have been made. More roster decisions have been put forth. In the process, rookies who were cut have found new life and veterans who thought they were safe have been surprised. Welcome to the frenzy after roster cuts.
For the Chiefs, several roster cuts were made (37 in all) but beyond that, they’ve also added players, re-claimed their own on the practice squad and kept their eyes on other teams. While the dust settles on roster moves around the league, we can at least take a look at the Chiefs practice squad as it comes together.
Here are the member of the Chiefs practice squad:
Honestly this is the head-scratcher of the lot. The Chiefs even let “better” receivers go, at least in terms of draft investment and feedback we’ve heard from coaches in addition to our own insights in the preseason. However, the Chiefs really like something they see in the 6’4 target enough to bring him back over Jehu Chesson and others.
Gehrig Dieter is back for his second season with the Chiefs practice squad after leaving Alabama for his pro career. He’s never been the star wideout, but the Chiefs have been enamored with his abilities for some time, and he’s shown some real chemistry with Patrick Mahomes when given a chance (which is limited, obviously). Dieter now hopes his further presence and a continued chance to learn will eventually give way to a pro opportunity.
Hunter joined the Chiefs after the draft as a priority free agent out of Bowling Green whose primary anecdote was being the second Canadian offensive lineman on the team. Certainly his similarities with Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are more than just being from the Great White North. The reality is that Hunter was the CFL’s Top Prospect this year as the best Canadian football player available for the draft, and the Chiefs like him enough to invite him back for further development. Whether he profiles at tackle or guard long-term is unknown but it’s nice to have him back in the fold.
Dee Liner is an easy chuckle when you realize the position he plays along the defensive line, bu there’s nothing funny about his potential. He’s a behemoth prospect at nearly 340 pounds and was elite enough to sign with the Alabama Crimson Tide for his first two years of college. He ended up transferring to Arkansas State to finish his career which certainly buried his exposure to scouts. Fortunately the Chiefs got him to sign as an undrafted free agent and kept him through waivers to see what he can develop into over the long haul.
Many fans were upset with the team for even putting Chase Litton out there in the first place, so many in Chiefs Kingdom are breathing easy knowing that the team brought Litton back onto the practice squad to be the developmental quarterback on the depth chart. Perhaps at some point, Litton will be elevated behind Patrick Mahomes and Chad Henne as QB3, but for now he’s at least learning and growing from this coaching staff.
The Indiana Hoosier was a late bloomer in college as a pass rusher but showed up strong in some key Big Ten games as a senior. The Chiefs are hoping he continues to blossom as he also learns how to play outside linebacker instead of defensive end. Now that he’s on the practice squad, the team has plenty of time to show him the ropes.
This is familiar turf for McQuay who gives the Chiefs a nice option to immediately bring up on the practice squad in case of injuries or further issues in the secondary. He’s versatile and can likely play all over the back of the defense in subpackage situations.
Every practice squad needs at least a couple offensive linemen around for the sake of being able to “practice” (hence the name) as well as development of a very deep and demanding position. Expect the Chiefs to continue to push Murray, who comes from Holy Cross, to develop at several positions along the offensive interior, left and right, in hopes of rounding out his skill set for a future reserve role.
Likely the favorite defensive undrafted free agent, Arrion Springs was a roster hopeful before cuts. Luckily for Chiefs fans, the team was able to sneak a few players through waivers including Springs. The Chiefs now have a nice couple of developmental cornerbacks (see below) to coach up throughout the season in hopes of solidifying the secondary as the season goes on.
Wade and Springs together form a nice developmental duo on a team that has very little in the way of future assets at the position of cornerback. The four-year starter from Murray State has a lot going for him and had a couple strong preseason showings when making disruptive plays against the pass.