Tag: Tershawn Wharton

Chiefs to sign DT Taylor Stallworth to 53-man roster from practice squad

With DT Tershawn Wharton soon heading to season-ending injured reserve, we now know which player the #Chiefs plan to replace him with.

In the wake of losing DT Tershawn Wharton to a torn ACL, the Kansas City Chiefs are promoting one of their own from the practice squad to replace him.

According to NFL agent Brett Tessler, the Chiefs have signed DT Taylor Stallworth to the 53-man roster. A free agent acquisition this offseason after spending time with both the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts, Stallworth has 50 career NFL games under his belt. In 2021, he had his most productive season yet with the Colts with 16 combined tackles, three sacks, 22 total pressures and one pass batted.

During the preseason in Kansas City this year, Stallworth was a pleasant surprise, producing two sacks and five total pressures. The performance wasn’t enough to earn him a roster spot as he was released during 53-man roster cuts and signed to the practice squad.

Stallworth patiently waited for his opportunity with the Chiefs and it appears that he’ll now have it. He could prove to be a valuable member of the defensive line rotation in Kansas City moving forward with Wharton out of the picture. Wharton had played 140 defensive snaps on the season so far, so there should be some snaps to go around.

It’s worth noting that Wharton hasn’t been placed on injured reserve yet, but you can expect that to potentially be the corresponding move to free up space on the 53-man roster for Stallworth. There are also a number of other moves the team could look to make this week with Trent McDuffie expected to make his return from injured reserve.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides injury updates after Week 5 win over Raiders

#Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed that DT Tershawn Wharton tore his left ACL, plus other injury updates following the win over the #Raiders.

The Kansas City Chiefs suffered one of their first significant injuries of the season against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 5.

The team quickly ruled out DT Tershawn Wharton after he hobbled off the field early in the game. Chiefs HC Andy Reid revealed that it will be a season-ending knee injury for Wharton.

“As far as the injuries go, (Tershawn) Wharton tore his ACL (in) his left knee,” Reid said.

The undrafted free agent out of Missouri S&T is in his third season with the Chiefs. He has eight total tackles and a sack and five total pressures through four games this season.

There were two other notable injuries and some absences due to cramps and illness.

“(Bryan) Cook had a concussion,” Reid continued. “(Frank) Clark was sick. (Chris) Lammons hurt his right hip and (Rashad) Fenton had cramps and came out.”

Clark left with illness early on in the third quarter.

With the short week of practice before Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, it’s possible that the team will be without Cook and Lammons. We’ll just have to see how things go as the team begins practice on Wednesday.

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Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton exits game vs. Raiders with knee injury

#Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton has been ruled out against the #Raiders with a knee injury.

The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with an injury to DT Tershawn Wharton in the Week 5 game against Las Vegas Raiders on “Monday Night Football.”

On the Raiders’ second offensive possession, Wharton came up limping and quickly hobbled off to the sideline. He met with trainers who were examining his right knee before they eventually opted to cart him back to the locker room for further evaluation.

The team very quickly ruled Wharton out of the game with a knee injury, which is never a good sign as it pertains to the severity of the injury.

Defensive tackle is one of the deeper positions for Kansas City, but they’re a little short-handed there right now in this game. Mike Danna plays some defensive tackle and he’s ruled out of the game. The only players available who play the position are Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Khalen Saunders and Malik Herring. That’s something to keep in mind as the game goes on.

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Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton admires tenacity, toughness of offensive line counterparts

#Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton feels that competing against Kansas City’s offensive line has made him a better player. | from @TheJohnDillon

After getting exposed in Super Bowl LV the Kansas City Chiefs got all hands on deck to shore up their offensive line ahead of the 2021 season. Their offense continued its run of dominance in the AFC as the unit grew into a huge asset for Patrick Mahomes down the stretch.

Looking to keep their momentum in 2022, Kansas City’s big nasties are hard at work at training camp. They have even started to impress some of the talent on the other side of the ball with their effectiveness in practice. The middle of the line caught third-year defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton’s eye on Wednesday, and in his comments to the media, he made it known just how difficult they are to compete against at camp.

“I think they, those inside guys, (Joe) Thuney, Trey (Smith) and Creed (Humphrey), those guys give you good looks,” He explained. “Some top guys in the league and they’re going to go all out every day. They’re not coming in just to get through practice, they come in to work. As far as my rookie year, there’s definitely a leap but the guys who were in my rookie year still give us good work, (Nick) Allegretti, all those guys still come in and work.”

Wharton has engaged in some great battles with Smith during the course of training camp this year. He says the friendly competition is something that he relishes as they both seek to improve their game.

“Trey (Smith), there’s just been something since his rookie year,” Wharton said. “In the locker room, we’re talking like, ‘Oh yeah, you got me today but tomorrow we’re coming back at it.’ It’s just a friendly competition but we know we’re going to get each other better every day.”

If there was any doubt about the team’s depth along the offensive line, Wharton’s comments should clear up any qualms fans may have with the state of affairs regarding the protection of Kansas City’s franchise quarterback. Additions made in free agency and the draft could prove to make the rich even richer.

Two thing remains certain; iron still sharpens iron and a team can never have too many talented players to keep their quarterback upright. To hear Wharton tell it, the trench warfare taking place in St. Joseph may prove to be a vital teaching tool for players on both sides of the ball.

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Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton breaks down his iconic interception against WFT

#Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton was trying to deflect a check down, but he ended up with an interception worthy of Sportscenter’s Top 10. | from @TheJohnDillon

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In a play that will surely end up on the Kansas City Chiefs season highlight reel, second-year defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton came down with one of the best interceptions the team will see all year. He first batted a pass by Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke, then pinned it to an offensive lineman’s helmet before grasping it with both hands and securing the ball to ice the Week 6 win on the road.

It was a truly remarkable effort, and one that fans won’t soon forget, especially given how much the defense has struggled to create turnovers so far. Wharton commented on the turn of events in a press conference held before practice on Wednesday, expressing his surprise that he was even in a position to make the play in the first place.

“It’s something I thought would probably never be seen,” He said. “But it’s always good to get one and I made SportsCenter Top 10.”

It’s not often that a big man comes down with the ball the way Wharton was able to, and the only thing that could’ve topped it would’ve been if he was able to return the ball for a touchdown. For his part, Wharton was focused on just coming down with the rock and completing the play.

“I saw it coming,” Wharton explained of the play’s development in real-time. “We’re always talking about the running back as his check down, so when I saw it coming, I was really trying to like swipe it down, but he didn’t put much heat on the ball. So, when I hit it, I realized I really had it. So, I just put it on his head and then once I got two hands on it, I wasn’t letting it go.”

The raw determination was evident as the play unfolded on television, and was a unique look into his special ability at the defensive tackle position. A single impressive snap is rarely enough to justify a bigger role for a depth player, but if what he showed against Washington was any indication, Wharton might have some much-needed juice that could benefit the ailing Chiefs’ defense moving forward.

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Brendan Daly excited by development of Chiefs DTs Khalen Saunders, Tershawn Wharton

With training camp coming to a close this week, #Chiefs DL coach Brendan Daly is excited by what he has seen from the depth on the defensive interior. | from @TheJohnDillon

Despite the close of training camp on Wednesday, defensive line coach Brendan Daly seems to think the Kansas City Chiefs have only scratched the surface with his unit so far.

The most obvious difference in the team’s new-look defensive front is Chris Jones‘ move to the end position, but the more intriguing change being born out of the camp process is lower on the depth chart. With a healthy mix of veteran talent and younger competitors, Kansas City hopes to have found linemen that can be stout against the run while maintaining the Chiefs’ signature knack for pass rush.

Jones’ move outside, playing opposite Frank Clark, has opened up an opportunity in the middle of the line for several players to claim rotational roles. As the cream rises to the top in their remaining preseason games, the Chiefs’ coaching staff will seek to find the top defensive tackles to anchor the defense this season.

The key battle in the middle of the line appears to be between Khalen Saunders and Tershawn Wharton, which is expected to heat up in the coming weeks. Daly told reporters on Wednesday that Saunders has had a strong camp, and praised his football acumen ahead of Friday’s game in Arizona.

“It’s been great to see,” Daly said of Saunders’ emergence, “I’d say he’s had the best training camp he’s had since he’s been with us. I’m pleased with the way he’s working. He’s expanded his role. One of the things that jumps out to me about Khalen, he’s one of the smartest guys in the room. He understands adjustments, the calls, the schemes. A very, very high football IQ, which is impressive to me.”

Saunders was a third-round pick by Kansas City in 2019, and would make a big statement by increasing his role this season. While he has expectations dating back to when the Chiefs drafted him, second-year defensive tackle and Missouri S&T product, Tershawn Wharton, is hot on his tail. Wharton was a relative unknown last season before bursting on the scene to make appearances in all 16 regular-season games, playing in about half of the team’s defensive snaps.

Wharton has a good chance to land a bigger role if his play continues to impress in this preseason. From Daly’s comments to media, he seems to be something of a favorite among the coaches, and prepares with an intensity that would lend itself to a starting role.

“If you watch this guy practice its a thousand miles an hour,” Daly told reporters, “He doesn’t seem to get tired, he’s a relentless energy and effort about him and he’s got a really good skillset. He’s explosive, he’s powerful, he’s got good quickness.”

It’s too early to say definitively whether the interior defensive line will be the Chiefs’ biggest strength on defense this season. Between Daly’s comments and the way the unit has carried itself in camp, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them excel. The next two preseason games will give fans a better idea of what to expect in September. They should provide valuable insight into the development of Kansas City’s talent in the trenches.

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Chiefs DT Jarran Reed says Tershawn Wharton ‘isn’t talked about enough’

Could a second-year breakout be coming for the former UDFA defensive tackle?

One of the newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs defense is well on the way to getting adjusted to his new team and his new teammates. So far nothing has been too out of the ordinary for DT Jarran Reed, who comes to the Chiefs by way of the Seattle Seahawks in free agency.

“There’s nothing much different,” Reed told reporters last Thursday. “I watched film on (the Chiefs) beforehand and of course everybody watches the Chiefs and they’re good. It’s the same thing I expected.”

One thing that has stood out to Reed is the performance of Chiefs second-year DT Tershawn Wharton. In 2020, Wharton joined Kansas City out of D-II Missouri Science and Tech. He earned an opportunity on the 53-man roster outright after impressing in meetings and training camp.

“Turk (Tershawn) Wharton is the one I think isn’t talked about enough,” Reed said. “He’s a great player, up and coming, second-year player, he’s going to be really good.”

Wharton played 48% of the defensive snaps for the Chiefs in 2020, boasting elite athleticism and a high motor. The 6-3, 280-pound defensive tackle finished the season appearing in all 16 regular-season games, earning his lone start in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He recorded 27 total tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 22 total pressures as rookie.

Reed seems to be impressed with his new teammate early on in the offseason program. The pads haven’t come on yet, but the two have spent some time working together during OTAs these past three weeks. If Wharton can continue to grow and have a breakout performance in his second year, he could help cement the defensive tackle rotation in Kansas City as one of the best in the league.

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Chiefs 2020 rookie season review: DT Tershawn Wharton

Turk had an impressive rookie campaign, but he’ll need to show more to hold down his job.

The Kansas City Chiefs added six draft picks in the 2020 NFL draft and a number of undrafted free agents too. Several of those rookies made contributions during the course of the 2020 regular season and postseason. One undrafted player even played nearly 50% of the Chiefs’ defensive snaps this season.

Let’s take a look at Tershawn Wharton’s rookie season and see what we can project for the future.

4 Chiefs players to watch in Week 15 vs. Saints

Keep an eye on these four players as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the New Orleans Saints.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to play the New Orleans Saints in Week 15. For the Chiefs, this is basically a bragging rights game that can help validate their Super Bowl title defense. Meanwhile, the Saints are clinging on to hope that they can somehow keep pace with the Green Bay Packers, eventually securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

If Kansas City wants to prove that they’re the best team in football again in 2020, a win this week will go a long way toward proving that. The Chiefs will need some key performances from veterans and rookies alike if they’re to come away victorious in New Orleans. Here is a look at four Chiefs players to keep an eye on during the Sunday afternoon showdown between non-conference opponents:

Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton named to PFF Midseason All-Rookie Team

Tershawn Wharton is receiving some recognition for his performance with the Chiefs this season.

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The cat is out of the bag on Kansas City Chiefs DT Tershawn Wharton.

The undrafted free agent signee from Division II Missouri S&T has quietly been thriving among the NFL’s defensive rookies. He accomplished the improbable in making it to the NFL and earning a spot on the 53-man roster of the reigning Super Bowl champions. Now, it’s Wharton’s superior play that is earning praise.

The folks at Pro Football Focus have named Wharton to their Midseason All-Rookie team. He’s the only Chiefs rookie named to the team and they’ve had several standouts such as Clyde Edwards-Helaire, L’Jarius Sneed and Mike Danna. Here’s a look at what PFF’s Michael Renner wrote about the Chiefs’ standout rookie:

“Wharton has been quite the find for the Chiefs this season as a sub-package player. The undersized defensive tackle has received a bigger role in the past three weeks and responded with eight pressures over that span. He plays with terrific leverage and already has 10 stops in the run game on 91 run-defense snaps, as well.”

Wharton might be undersized, but he’s a superior athlete. Chiefs fans have seen that athleticism on full display numerous times this season as he’s worked his way up to a more significant role. He’s also been praised for his work ethic and mastery of the playbook. He came in ready to work like a professional and the coaching staff recognized that.

Wharton saw his season-high in snaps against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9 with 50 snaps. He continues to impress in those opportunities too. This rookie should be in line for a large helping of snaps as Kansas City makes the final push for the playoffs and another Super Bowl title.

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