Former Chiefs pass rusher Tanoh Kpassagnon suffers torn Achilles in Saints preseason

Former Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Tanoh Kpassagnon received some horrible news this week with the word that he'd torn his Achilles. New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen confirmed the news to reporters on Tuesday.

The loss of Kpassagnon for the season takes away from the overall talent and depth built up by the Saints in the front seven this offseason with the additions of pass rusher Chase Young and linebacker Willie Gay Jr., also from Kansas City.

Tanoh Kpassagnon received some tough news in the middle of the offseason.

Kpassagnon, a seven-year NFL veteran, has enjoyed a nice second run with the Saints after beginning his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. After signing an original 2-year deal worth up to $4.5 million in 2021, he added two more years with a $5M value to re-up with the Saints through the '24 season.

The Chiefs originally drafted Kpassagnon back in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft class that featured Patrick Mahomes. Kpassagnon was a high-upside play by John Dorsey out of Villanova who never quite turned the corner toward the hopeful projections given his very rare blend of length, strength, and athleticism. He had only 7 sacks in 61 games in Kansas City.

In an interesting side note, Kpassagnon is just one of several former Chiefs on this New Orleans defense. It feels a bit like Arrowhead South to read the likes of safety Tyrann Mathieu, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. along with Kpassagnon on the roster.