The Kansas City Chiefs have some help along the defensive line coming soon.
According to the NFL’s official transaction report from Wednesday, the Chiefs have designated DE Alex Okafor to return from injured reserve. This opens the 21-day practice window during which Okafor will be allowed to practice. The team will have to make a decision during that period on whether they’ll activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on injured reserve.
Remember, the rules are a bit different this year with an unlimited number of players allowed to be returned from injured reserve. The Chiefs have already returned a number of players from injured reserve including Khalen Saunders and Mike Danna. Rookie CB L’Jarius Sneed was also recently designated to return from injured reserve.
Okafor has now suffered two hamstring injuries this season, but the second one which occurred in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills was the one that landed him on injured reserve. The Chiefs happen to be short-handed at the DE position after Taco Charlton suffered an ankle fracture in Week 9.
The eight-year NFL veteran has played in just 14-of-29 possible games since his arrival in Kansas City in 2019. During that span, Okafor has recorded 28 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, 12 QB hits, a forced fumble and a pass defended.
Hopefully, Okafor can stay healthy for the remainder of the season and make an impact with the Chiefs. He restructured his contract ahead of the 2020 NFL season, effectively making him a free agent in 2021.
[listicle id=80657]