Tag: defensive lineman

Chiefs Veteran defensive lineman ruled out for Week 7 vs. 49ers

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Danna ruled out for Week 7 vs. San Francisco #49ers | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the latest injury report with the media on Friday, finalizing the status of one of his veteran defensive linemen.

“As far as the injuries go, Mike (Danna) will be listed as out,” said Reid. “JuJu (Smith-Schuster) had a hamstring spasm yesterday but practiced today, so he will be listed as questionable, however, on the sheet there.”

Danna will miss his second game this season as he continues to deal with a pectoral injury that held him out of practice all week. The injury to “Smith-Schuster has sparked the possibility that practice squad receivers Justyn Ross or Nikko Remigio could be in the running for a roster elevation before Sunday. Reid has left the decision to the coaching staff as a wait-and-see scenario.

“We’ll see; I mean, we’re going to list him (JuJu Smith-Schuster) as questionable just in case something comes up,” said Reid, “but he did good today, so we’ll see how he does tomorrow, right? But he was good today.

The veteran receiver led the team in receiving during their Week 5 victory over the New Orleans Saints. He has seemingly fit back into his role from the 2022 season after Rashee Rice’s season-ending injury.

Veteran Chiefs defensive lineman fined for unnecessary roughness penalty

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton fined for unnecessary roughness penalty | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive line has been successful throughout the team’s undefeated start to the season. Their aggressive play in the trenches has made them a quarterback’s nightmare and, in some cases, led to disciplinary actions from the NFL.

Chiefs starting defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton was fined $11,817 for an unnecessary roughness penalty during last Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The penalty was called by officials in the 4th quarter when Wharton slapped the facemask of New Orleans offensive lineman Lucas Patrick.

During the second half of the Week 5 game, Wharton also tallied a sack on Saints quarterback Derek Carr. The 26-year-old is a two-time Super Bowl champion after going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Missouri S&T.

Wharton is off to an excellent start to the season and is second on the Chiefs in sacks with 1.5. The fifth-year defensive lineman chose to stay in Kansas City in the offseason, signing a one-year deal. He, alongside All-Pro Chris Jones, is a dominant duo in the middle of the line at defensive tackle.

Former Chiefs defensive lineman reveals creative nickname for Travis Kelce

Former Kansas City #Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders reveals creative nickname for Travis Kelce | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ recent victory over the New Orleans Saints kept their record undefeated in the young season. During the game, they faced off against several former Chiefs, who had Super Bowl rings and memories from the journey.

Former Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders made headlines for his interception return during the game, but he also recently revealed a unique nickname for Travis Kelce.

“We used to call him, when I was on the Chiefs, ‘The Drunken Master,’ because he kind of just runs his routes looking like he’s tipsy a little bit. “said Saunders in a video list from G.O.A.T. Farm Media. “Then he’ll just sit down in the middle of a zone and catch it and then turn up the field and make something happen.”

Kelce’s unparalleled ability to find holes in defenses and get open for Patrick Mahomes earned him the nickname. Saunders played for the Chiefs from 2019 to 2022, winning two Super Bowls with the star tight end. The bond remains strong between former Kansas City players and the current group.

Former Chiefs defensive lineman makes history with highlight play in Week 5

Former Kansas City #Chiefs defensive lineman Khalen Saunders makes history with highlight play in Week 5 | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints last Monday night but had a brief scare due to a highlight play from a former member of their Super Bowl teams.

Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders intercepted Patrick Mahomes in the endzone before running the ball back 36 yards in the second half, stalling a drive. According to NFL metrics, Saunders’ return on the pick saw him hit a top speed of 15.79 mph, the third-fastest speed by a ball carrier over 320 pounds since 2016.

Saunders played for the Chiefs from 2019 to 2022, winning two Super Bowls on the defensive line alongside his good friend Chris Jones. During his post-game press conference, Mahomes shouted out his former teammates’ memorable moment.

“Yeah, we talked. He’s (Saunders)– I said if it had to be one person, the fact that it was Khalen was probably the best person in the NFL that could’ve got an interception off of me.” said Mahomes “(He’s) just such a good guy, man, (he’s) one of the best teammates that I’ve ever had. I mean, (he) truly is. (It’s) just a smile on his face every single day, and (he) really just loved – not only football – but the part of the locker room, which I think is really cool. So, I’m super happy for him that he had a good game and that he’s done a good job of having his career go on.”

Along with several Saints players, Saunders won titles with the Chiefs, making Monday’s game a semi-reunion that ended with a Kansas City victory.

Cardinals sign ex-Broncos defensive lineman to practice squad

The Cardinals signed defensive lineman Angelo Blackson to their practice squad. He spent this summer with the Broncos.

The Arizona Cardinals have signed former Denver Broncos defensive lineman Angelo Blackson to their practice squad, according to Howard Balzer of Cards Wire.

Blackson (6-4, 318 pounds) signed with the Broncos in April to add more depth to the team’s defensive line. He was listed as a No. 2 defensive end behind Zach Allen for the duration of training camp and preseason this summer but did not make the team’s 53-man roster in August.

This will mark Blackson’s second stint in Arizona after he previously played for the Cardinals in 2020. The 31-year-old defensive lineman has spent time with eight NFL teams, totaling 179 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, 8.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, four fumble recoveries and one interception in 128 career games (42 starts).

Denver opted to carry six defensive linemen on the active roster this year: Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, Eyioma Uwazurike and Jordan Jackson. The team also has Matt Henningsen and Jordan Miller on the practice squad.

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Broncos expect DL Eyioma Uwazurike to be reinstated by NFL

After serving a year-plus suspension, Broncos DE Eyioma Uwazurike could be reinstated “very soon.”

After being suspended for more than a year, Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike might be on the verge of returning to the team.

“I think there’s good news on his front,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “Everything in [Iowa] was dropped and the other day everything in Colorado [was dropped]. He had his conference call with the league office, and we fully anticipate him now joining us as soon as possible.

“We’re waiting on the league. He’s in great shape, and we were really excited to hear that news. We anticipate — we see that happening very soon. That’ll be an additional player for us, and we’ll be glad to have him back. So good news on that front.”

Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely on July 24, 2023 after gambling on NFL games, including Broncos games. Payton has indicated the team will welcome him back when Uwazurike is permitted to return.

“I know he’s champing at the bit to get back, and it sounds like it’s going to happen very soon,” Payton said.

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Chiefs DT Chris Jones’ motivation at training camp: ‘I play football because I love the game’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones’ motivation at training camp: ‘I play football because I love the game’ | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ veterans have hit the field for their first practice at this year’s training camp.

Chiefs All-Pro defensive lineman Chris Jones was the lead topic of last year’s camp and is focused on keeping things about his play on the field and helping the team. He explained his motivation to reporters on Sunday after practice.

“I think my mind frame is always to be the best I can be. I strive for DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) every year. It’s a commitment to myself that I make, and I challenge myself to make my teammates better,” said Jones. “I think no matter how much money I’m making, how much money I get, my motives never change. I play football because I love the game, not for anything else.”

Jones has starred on the Chiefs’ defensive line during their three recent Super Bowl victories. He is excited about the chance to make history and become the first NFL team to three-peat.

“I think chasing history is all part of it. When a lot of players retire, they always say they want to lead a game better than when they started,” said Jones. “If we can get this three-peat and continue to add to the legacy of the Kansas City Chiefs, I think it’ll be a huge accomplishment, not only for us but for the NFL.”

Jones is embracing the return to a full training camp after holding out last year during his contract negotiations.

Kansas City Chiefs release former Alabama DL Isaiah Buggs

The Kansas City Chiefs recently released former Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs.

One former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman became a free agent on Monday. The Kansas City Chiefs decided to part ways with defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs.

This news come after Buggs was arrested multiple times during the 2024 offseason in Tuscaloosa.

Buggs has been in the NFL since 2019 when he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since his career began in 2019, Buggs has played for the Steelers, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, and Chiefs. Over the course of his career, Buggs has recorded 89 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding former Alabama football players in the NFL.

Broncos expected to sign UFL defensive lineman Dondrea Tillman

The Broncos are expected to sign DL Dondrea Tillman. He totaled 92 tackles and 8.5 sacks and won three championships with the Stallions.

Story update: Dondrea Tillman will arrive in Denver in the late afternoon/early evening on Tuesday and will work out for the team and take a physical exam on Wednesday, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. See our original post below. 

The Denver Broncos are bringing in Birmingham Stallions defensive lineman Dondrea Tillman for a workout on Tuesday and the 26-year-old defender is “expected to sign,” according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Wilson later tweeted late Monday evening that Tillman’s signing will become official on Tuesday. Denver will have to make a corresponding move to make room for Tillman on the 90-man offseason roster.

Tillman (6-3, 270 pounds) played one season in The Spring League in 2021 after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2019. He was drafted by the Stallions in the third round of the 2022 USFL draft.

Tillman spent the last three years in Birmingham, winning three straight championships. Following the merger of the USFL and XFL, Tillman totaled 26 tackles and three sacks in the newly-formed UFL this spring. He recorded 92 tackles and 8.5 sacks over the last three seasons.

Tillman will join a defensive line room in Denver that already features Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach.

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Alabama lands commitment from 2025 3-star DL London Simmons

Kalen DeBoer continues to impress on the recruiting trail!

The Alabama Crimson Tide had 10 official visitors on campus this weekend. One of those official visitors was 2025 three-star defensive lineman London Simmons. On Sunday evening, Simmons announced his commitment to Alabama.

Simmons committed to the Crimson Tide over North Carolina State and the Arkansas Razorbacks. He plays for Hartfield Academy in Flowood, Mississippi. Simmons is listed at 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds.

The Alabama coaching staff extended an offer to Simmons several weeks ago following an impressive camp performance. Over the weekend, Simmons was in Tuscaloosa for an official visit.

Simmons is the second defensive lineman to commit to the Crimson Tide as a part of the 2025 recruiting class. The other is four-star Antonio Coleman.

As a junior, Simmons recorded 78 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 15 sacks. It will be interesting to see how Simmons performs during his senior season for the Hawks.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its efforts on the recruiting trail.