Kansas City Chiefs re-sign rookie returner Aleva Hifo

The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed rookie free agent Aleva Hifo.

The Kansas City Chiefs have decided to give rookie free agent Aleva Hifo another look after setting him free earlier in the preseason. The Chiefs signed Hifo, an undrafted prospect out of Brigham Young University, shortly after the 2020 NFL Draft was finished.

Hifo was among the first Chiefs players to hit the COVID-19 reserve list and was ultimately cut loose as the team released several players to get down to the training camp limit of 80. Hifo earned a quick tryout with the Arizona Cardinals, but clearly that didn’t turn into an official contract. The Chiefs then decided to get a closer look now that Hifo is likely healthy and ready for a practice in pads.

Hifo now joins the Chiefs as the team placed Alex Brown on injured reserve. Brown, a defensive back hoping to make the active roster after earning time late in the 2019 season, tore his ACL in camp over the weekend.

The Chiefs brought in Hifo as a speedy slot receiver whose primary impact would be felt on special teams as a potential returner for Dave Toub’s units. The Chiefs have plenty of big names already among return options in Pro Bowlers like Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman, but Hill is hardly used there anymore and it might behoove Hardman to make the sort of full-time move to offense as Hill in order to keep growing.

Hifo had 42 catches for 483 yards and 3 touchdowns last year for the Cougars as a receiver. He added 23 rushes for 104 yards on the ground and returned 14 punts for a 15.9 yards/return average.