Tag: Taco Charlton

Former Michigan star released by Kansas City Chiefs in training camp

Huge bummer. Seemed like he was really starting to show out.

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It was supposed to be a fresh start for the former first-round NFL draft pick, but now Taco Charlton is, again, looking for a new home.

Charlton went in the opening round of the 2017 NFL draft when he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys. However, he never quite rounded into form and requested a release in 2019, which was granted by Jerry Jones’ prolific franchise. Claimed off of waivers that same year, Charlton finished the season with Miami, but the Dolphins waived him before the 2020 season.

But the champs came calling.

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Fresh off winning the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Charlton, and he was a key reserve until he first sprained his LCL in Week 6 and ultimately fracturing his leg in Week 9. Though he’s now healthy and ready to go, Charlton was a training camp casualty, as the Chiefs announced his release on Monday.

As he enters his fifth year in the NFL, Charlton will once again be looking for a new home. The good news is that he put some good work on tape in 2020 and assuredly won’t be a free agent for long.

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Taco Charlton thanks Chiefs Kingdom following his release

Following his release on Monday, DE Taco Charlton thanked #Chiefs fans for their unwavering support during his time with the team.

Chiefs DE Taco Charlton didn’t make it past the latest rounds of roster cuts in Kansas City.

A former first-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft, Charlton never lived up to his status as a first-round draft pick. The Cowboys ultimately released him after two disappointing seasons. He landed on his feet with Miami Dolphins before joining the Chiefs on a one-year deal for the 2020 NFL season. His familiarity with former Michigan Wolverines teammate Frank Clark drew him to Kansas City.

After his release on Monday, Charlton tweeted out a message to the Chiefs Kingdom.

“ChiefsKingdom, Thank you for embracing me,” Charlton wrote, followed by his signature Taco emoji.

The depth on the defensive line this year has been more impressive than in years past. Charlton’s inability to get on the field during training camp and the preseason made him expendable with these gradual roster cuts coming.

Charlton will finish his Chiefs career having recorded just 8 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks, 12 total pressures and a forced fumble in seven games played. A fractured ankle ended his 2020 campaign early, but Chiefs fans always believed that he could turn his career around in Kansas City. They’ll certainly wish him the best as he begins the next chapter of his Chiefs career.

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3 defensive ends Chiefs could trade to the Jets after Carl Lawson injury

One of these three #Chiefs defensive ends could be tempting for the #Jets in a trade after injury to star pass rusher Carl Lawson. | from @TheJohnDillon

As the second round of preseason cuts approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs have found themselves in an enviable position with their depth on the defensive line. Kansas City’s commitment to revamping their defense has left them with bodies to spare, especially at defensive end, and as unfortunate injuries have begun decimating some teams’ depth charts, trades could be in order to avoid tough decisions in building the 53-man roster.

Chris Jones was converted to play the end position in the offseason, and pass rush mainstay Frank Clark will play opposite him on the line this season. The Chiefs will definitely place a high value on rotational and backup linemen in case of injury. No matter what, they’ll still have too many cooks in the kitchen, and would be wise to maximize value on any of their surplus of talent before another suitor takes their chance.

The New York Jets were struck a devastating blow when star pass-rusher Carl Lawson was injured during practice last week, finding themselves in dire need of help at one of the Chiefs’ deepest positions. Though predicting trades is a fool’s errand, the tea leaves could point to a potential trade between the AFC counterparts.

With a limited timeline to put something together before the regular season, New York could be willing to pay a premium for a player that has proven solid in years past, or a developmental prospect in an attempt to pull a diamond in the rough. Here are three players Kansas City could look to trade to the Jets after Lawson’s injury:

Chiefs DE Taco Charlton looks to rebound after injury in 2020

#Chiefs DE Taco Charlton is back on his horse following a season-ending injury in 2020. | from @TheJohnDillon

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Former Dallas Cowboys’ first-round pick Taco Charlton was becoming a fixture on Kansas City’s defense last year, but a devastating ankle injury abruptly ended his season.

The towering defensive end was a highly regarded prospect when he was drafted in 2017, but he struggled to find a niche elsewhere before joining the Chiefs in 2020. In seven games, Charlton had two sacks and a forced fumble, making consistent progress week-by-week in a rotational role.

His contract last year was a one-year “prove it” deal that might have landed him a larger payday this offseason had he stayed healthy. Now, Charlton is focusing on rehabbing his ankle and getting back to 100-percent before the new season is in full effect.

“Some days I feel great,” Charlton said, addressing the media Wednesday. “Some days after banging around, I may come back and it’s a little sore, it’s hurting me a little bit, but it has its good days and bad days.”

The sudden end to last season still seems to resonate for Charlton, who hopes for a mulligan on his fresh start in Kansas City.

“Having the season over like that in a blink of an eye for me was tough,” Charlton explained, “So I’m happy to get a chance to be out here with my teammates and be in a position to help win games in the future.”

Charlton should see more opportunities to contribute this season with the team in pursuit of another Super Bowl. Kansas City desperately needed someone to provide some juice in the pass rush, especially during the playoffs last year, so his presence should help solidify the front of Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

More than anything, though, Charlton seems genuinely grateful to be playing for the Chiefs this season.

“I’m happy to be here,” he said, “Happy to be with this team and happy to have a coaching staff that loves coaching me and loves pushing me and wanting me to be a better player.”

When Kansas City signed him last season, there was hope for untapped potential in Charlton that previous teams were unable to capitalize on. Once fully recovered from his ankle injury, it’s not out of the question that the defensive end could become a dominating presence, and with the help of his coaches, revitalize his young career.

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Chiefs DE Taco Charlton teases improvements for 2021 NFL season

The Taco Truck will be open for business in 2021. #ChiefsKingdom 🌮🌮🌮

Kansas City Chiefs DE Taco Charlton’s 2020 campaign was ended early by a fractured ankle. The former first-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys is now fully healthy and teasing improvements to his game ahead of the 2021 NFL season.

“Last year was a sneak peek,” Charlton wrote on Twitter. “I’m on something different this year.”

Charlton appeared in just seven games for Kansas City during the 2020 season, recording 8 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks, 12 total pressures and a forced fumble. It was a small glimpse of what he was capable of doing as a situational pass-rusher in Steve Spagnuolo’s dime packages, but it was also an encouraging glimpse with just 90 snaps on the year.

Charlton’s limited contributions weren’t all on his injury. The COVID-19-altered offseason put him behind on learning a new defensive system in Kansas City. He didn’t play in a single preseason game due to the pandemic. He saw his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers and made key plays in the game, ultimately earning more opportunities from that point forward.

Now, with serious questions surrounding the defensive end position in light of Frank Clark’s recent arrests, the Chiefs need Charlton to step up and perform as a former first-round pick should. This is a contract year for Charlton too, so it’s within his best interest to put together a solid year in Kansas City as well. The ideal situation would be for Charlton to emerge as a starter, but even contributing more frequently in a rotation of players would be considered an improvement from his introductory season with the team.

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Chiefs free agent outlook: DE Taco Charlton

Charlton played just 90 snaps with the Chiefs in 2020, but made an impact. Could he return on a low-risk deal?

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In the aftermath of Super LV, the Kansas City Chiefs will be tasked with building a roster to get them back to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive year. Brett Veach will have a decision to make on a number of unrestricted free agents this offseason, many of whom contributed to the success of this franchise lately. One of those players is defensive end Taco Charlton.

A former first-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys, Charlton’s career didn’t exactly get off to the best start. His production didn’t ever mount up to that of a first-round pick. After just two seasons in Dallas, he was released in what he described as a mutual decision. He was claimed by the Dolphins on the waiver wire, but it was only a brief stop. Charlton spent 10 games with Miami before he found himself as a free agent for the first time in his career, as he wasn’t claimed on waivers.

Part of Charlton’s decision to join Kansas City in 2020 was to be reunited with his former Michigan Wolverines teammate Frank Clark. Clark was a mentor to Charlton when he was younger. He helped sell Veach on Charlton and recruit him to the Chiefs. Charlton also saw it as an opportunity to prove himself on a talented and internally competitive team.

Without playing in a single preseason game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coaching staff had a hard time evaluating Charlton. He saw his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers and made key plays in the game. He ultimately carved out a role, playing primarily as the dime-package rusher for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. A fractured ankle ended Charlton’s 2020 season with the Chiefs prematurely. He’d finish the year with 8 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks, 12 total pressures and a forced fumble in seven games played.

With an active free agent market expected at the defensive end position, the Chiefs could choose to keep Charlton, perhaps on another one-year deal. He has demonstrable success playing in the scheme, though with limited opportunities. We know he can be a dime-package rusher in Kansas City and that can be valuable. At the same time, with only 90 defensive snaps all season, is it truly worth bringing him back? You can find those snaps elsewhere, through the draft, development of another player or even another free agent acquisition. These are just some of the things that the Chiefs will need to weigh in their decision.

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Chiefs free agent outlook: DE Taco Charlton

Charlton played just 90 snaps with the Chiefs in 2020, but made an impact. Could he return on a low-risk deal?

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In the aftermath of Super LV, the Kansas City Chiefs will be tasked with building a roster to get them back to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive year. Brett Veach will have a decision to make on a number of unrestricted free agents this offseason, many of whom contributed to the success of this franchise lately. One of those players is defensive end Taco Charlton.

A former first-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys, Charlton’s career didn’t exactly get off to the best start. His production didn’t ever mount up to that of a first-round pick. After just two seasons in Dallas, he was released in what he described as a mutual decision. He was claimed by the Dolphins on the waiver wire, but it was only a brief stop. Charlton spent 10 games with Miami before he found himself as a free agent for the first time in his career, as he wasn’t claimed on waivers.

Part of Charlton’s decision to join Kansas City in 2020 was to be reunited with his former Michigan Wolverines teammate Frank Clark. Clark was a mentor to Charlton when he was younger. He helped sell Veach on Charlton and recruit him to the Chiefs. Charlton also saw it as an opportunity to prove himself on a talented and internally competitive team.

Without playing in a single preseason game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coaching staff had a hard time evaluating Charlton. He saw his Chiefs debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers and made key plays in the game. He ultimately carved out a role, playing primarily as the dime-package rusher for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. A fractured ankle ended Charlton’s 2020 season with the Chiefs prematurely. He’d finish the year with 8 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two sacks, 12 total pressures and a forced fumble in seven games played.

With an active free agent market expected at the defensive end position, the Chiefs could choose to keep Charlton, perhaps on another one-year deal. He has demonstrable success playing in the scheme, though with limited opportunities. We know he can be a dime-package rusher in Kansas City and that can be valuable. At the same time, with only 90 defensive snaps all season, is it truly worth bringing him back? You can find those snaps elsewhere, through the draft, development of another player or even another free agent acquisition. These are just some of the things that the Chiefs will need to weigh in their decision.

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Chiefs make flurry of roster moves on Saturday ahead of Week 11

Another standout rookie returns from injured reserve and two players are elevated to the 53-man roster for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made a number of roster moves ahead of their Week 11 grudge match with the Las Vegas Raiders on “Sunday Night Football.”

First up, the Chiefs have ruled out WR Sammy Watkins, who was originally deemed questionable heading into the game. This will be his fifth missed game since suffering a hamstring injury back in Week 5.

Two players have been placed on injured reserve for Kansas City. Taco Charlton was expected to land on injured reserve with a fractured ankle suffered in Week 9. The Chiefs also placed starting RT Mitchell Schwartz on injured reserve. Schwartz has missed the past four games with a back injury and with his move to injured reserve, he’ll miss the next three games at the very least. This marks his first stint on injured reserve in his entire nine-year career.

As Chiefs HC Andy Reid anticipated, the team has activated CB L’Jarius Sneed from injured reserve. The rookie sensation suffered a clavicle injury in Week 3 that knocked him out for the past six games. His return couldn’t come at a better time as the defensive secondary struggled to slow the Raiders in Week 5.

In addition to Sneed’s return, the team also activated DE Alex Okafor from injured reserve. Okafor had been placed on injured reserve three weeks ago with a hamstring injury.

On top of those activations, the team also activated WR Mecole Hardman from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Hardman hasn’t practiced all week, but he’ll be cleared to play in Week 11.

The team also elevated 2 practice squad players to the 53-man roster. With Watkins ruled out and Martinas Rankin still on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team used the COVID-19 replacement designation to bring up OL Bryan Witzmann and the standard elevation designation to bring up WR Gehrig Dieter. This marks the second week that both players will have been elevated to the 53-man roster.

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Chiefs DE Taco Charlton suggests he’ll undergo surgery on fractured ankle today

Charlton continues to update fans on his injury status on his personal Twitter page.

Kansas City Chiefs DE Taco Charlton has taken to Twitter to let fans know about his status following an ankle injury in the Week 9 game against the Carolina Panthers. He previously updated fans, confirming that he fractured his ankle during the game. Andy Reid also reconfirmed the injury on Monday, but wouldn’t commit to Charlton going on injured reserve or any sort of timeline for his return.

On Monday, Charlton let everyone know that the “Taco Truck” was going into the shop to get “fixed” on Tuesday. He also says that he’ll, “come back better than ever.”

Check it out:

That certainly would seem to suggest that Charlton is set to have surgery on his fractured ankle today. He happens to be in proximity to one of the most renowned orthopedic surgeons, specializing in foot and ankle injuries.

Dr. Robert Anderson has his practice in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He’s routinely worked on NFL stars, repairing anywhere from the most severe fractured ankles to evaluating the most minor of ankle sprains.

It’s worth noting that this is not the first time that Charlton has dealt with an ankle injury. He’s had an ankle scoped two times while he was with the Dallas Cowboys. It’s unclear if this is the same ankle that he injured with the Chiefs.

We’ll keep you posted on the latest with Charlton, but expect a move to injured reserve to come at some point this week.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury updates following Week 10 bye

Andy Reid gave a few injury updates during his Monday press conference.

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t play a football game last week due to a Week 10 bye week. Chiefs HC Andy Reid did his best to provide answers to questions about players who’ve recently been injured or those who are on the mend on Monday.

First, he spoke on the status of DE Taco Charlton, who recently confirmed that he suffered an ankle fracture and would miss time. Reid also confirmed the ankle fracture but didn’t have any specific timeline on if or when Charlton would go on injured reserve.

“I’ll get that out to you whenever we put out there whatever we’re going to put out there,” Reid said of Charlton’s status. “He did hurt and he did fracture it, so we’ll see what we do from that point.”

It’d stand to reason that a move to injured reserve will be coming later this week, perhaps with a corresponding move of activating standout rookie CB L’Jarius Sneed. The fourth-round draft pick had been on injured reserve since Week 3 when he suffered a collarbone injury. Sneed still needs to practice and prove he’s ready to get back out there, though.

“Yeah, he’ll be back working with us this week,” Reid said of Sneed. “We’ll just see how he does.”

Finally, news of Mecole Hardman’s addition to reserve/COVID-19 list came late last week. Reid was unable to confirm his status and whether he’d be available to play on “Sunday Night Football” against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I don’t know what I can get into and what I can’t get into on that, but he is on the list,” Reid said of Hardman. “He’s got to wait here, his days and right now he’s feeling good which is a good thing. Again, he’s on that list and I’m not sure exactly what I can tell you other than he’s on the list and he’s feeling good right now.”

Hardman could be on the list due to contact tracing or he could have contracted the virus himself. Either way, the good news is that he’s feeling well. The Chiefs could stand to be without Hardman this week as Sammy Watkins is set to return from a hamstring injury.

Expect more updates to come on injured players for Kansas City ahead of Wednesday’s practice when the team begins their preparations for the Raiders in Week 11.

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