Chiefs designate Xavier Williams eligible to return from injured reserve

The Kansas City Chiefs have designated defensive tackle Xavier Williams to return from injured reserve for the stretch run.

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially designated defensive tackle Xavier Williams as eligible to return from injured reserve later this year—one of two such designations allowed per team. This gives Williams a 21-day countdown within which he must return to practice or remain out for the rest of the year.

The potential return of Williams, if he is physically able, is a nice boost for the Chiefs defensive front. The absence of Williams and other injuries have forced the Chiefs to use Khalen Saunders more than expected, and fortunately he has risen to the occasion. Also Mike Pennel has proven to be a nice free agent find as a run stopper.

The addition of Williams down the stretch will give the team a very full defensive front with plenty of rotation options as the team digs in for more physical postseason games in the cold and snow. Few teams in the NFL can boast a defensive line with the likes of Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Alex Okafor, Saunders, Williams, Pennel, and Tanoh Kpassagnon.

Williams originally joined the Chiefs as a free agent prior to the 2018 season as a hometown signing after he began his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Williams signed a two-year deal worth $5.05 million to join the Chiefs, which means he’s heading back to unrestricted free agency after this season.

Given that he’s been injured for so much of the year, it’s also potentially helpful for his financial future to be able to return and showcase what he can do heading into another round of free agency. If the Chiefs can make some noise and he can be part of a reconstructed defense that helps the Chiefs succeed when it matters, Williams may find himself on the receiving end of a much better deal than if he’d just ended the year on injured reserve.

Williams, 27, has 55 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in 21 games with the Chiefs.