The Kansas City Chiefs have filled the latest vacancy on their practice squad.
After losing DE Benton Whitley to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this week, the Chiefs have added one of their former receivers to the practice squad. Kansas City signed Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who was waived by the Chicago Bears just a few days ago, to the practice squad as first reported by Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick.
A fifth-round draft pick by the Vikings in 2021, Smith-Marsette appeared in eight games with the Vikings last season. He caught five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in that span. After Minnesota traded to acquire Jalen Reagor from the Vikings ahead of the 2022 NFL season, Smith-Marsette was released in their final roster cuts.
Smith-Marsette was later claimed by the Chicago Bears, but things weren’t all sunshine and roses. His Week 5 struggles against his former team (2 penalties and a fumble) put him in the crosshairs of a new coaching staff and front office, who ultimately sought to release him.
Of interest to Kansas City, the former Iowa Hawkeye has experience as a kick returner, which could prove valuable if they suffer any injuries. The 6-1 and 185-pound wideout returned 53 kicks in college for over 1,500 yards and two touchdowns. In two NFL seasons across two teams, Smith-Marsette has returned just five kicks for 100 yards.
Smith-Marsette brings the K.C. practice squad total back up to 16 players. He joins Chris Conley, Cornell Powell, Marcus Kemp and Daurice Fountain as the fifth receiver on the practice squad for the team.
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