The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams have each poached a player from the other team’s practice squad this week.
On Wednesday, the Chiefs signed Rams DE Benton Whitley to their 53-man roster from the L.A. practice squad. On Thursday, Los Angeles made their move. According to Priority Sports’ Kenny Zuckerman, the Rams have signed their client, TE Kendall Blanton, from K.C.’s practice squad.
Blanton, a Kansas City native whose father played with the Chiefs, was signed by the Rams in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. He spent the past three seasons in Los Angeles and won Super Bowl LVI with the team.
.@Chiefs TE @TheKspecial_ returns to the @RamsNFL #NFL @PrioritySports pic.twitter.com/0cuNM5zoX8
— Kenny Zuckerman (@kenny_zuckerman) September 22, 2022
Kansas City attempted to claim Blanton when L.A. released him from the offseason roster. He ended up with the Washington Commanders, but he was released in final roster cuts. He chose to sign with the Chiefs’ practice squad, but unfortunately, it appears the homecoming didn’t last.
Blanton will need to remain on the Rams’ 53-man roster for three weeks after being signed from the Kansas City practice squad per NFL rules. Rams TE Brycen Hopkins was just suspended for three games, so it’s possible that this is a short-term decision for Los Angeles and that Blanton could return later this season.
The Chiefs now have an open spot on the practice squad that they’ll need to fill. Keep an eye on TE Matt Bushman, who was with Kansas City in the preseason, but fractured his clavicle. He was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement. If he’s closer to a return, they could look to sign him to the practice squad.
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