Kansas City Chiefs promote wide receiver Gehrig Dieter to active roster

The Kansas City Chiefs have promoted Gehrig Dieter, wide receiver, from the practice squad to the active roster in anticipation of the Rams game.

The Kansas City Chiefs are making a couple minor roster moves before they face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football with the announced promotion of wide receiver Gehrig Dieter to the active roster. To take his place, defensive back Josh Hawkins is now a member of the Chiefs practice squad.

Dieter has been with the Chiefs for the last two years as a member of the practice squad and offseason roster, showing up strong at times in offseason training activities and the preseason with good hands and as a special teams tackler. The former Alabama player will now get his first chance to potentially make some plays in a regular season game, depending on whether or not he’s active for the game.

The promotion of Dieter might speak more to the state of other wide receivers on the roster. Specifically, wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been dealing with some foot pain and wasn’t even able to practice the last couple days. Currently, his designation is “questionable” for the game, but the ascension of Dieter to the active roster seems to insinuate that Chiefs coaches know they will need an alternative on hand.

If Watkins is unable to suit up against his former team, it still doesn’t mean that Dieter will be active. The Chiefs also have Marcus Kemp, Demarcus Robinson and Chris Conley who will all receive increased playing time and offensive targets if Watkins cannot go.

Dieter signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2017. He played a single season at Bama and had 15 catches for 214 yards and 4 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide.