The Kansas City Chiefs are already holding on to their playoff hopes by far less than they would be hoping for at this point in the season, knowing that anything other than a win on Sunday against the Houston Texans will reduce that to little more than a proverbial thread.
And the impact of the loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving was felt even more by mid-week in the build up to Week 13, as the team have had to place offensive tackle, Josh Simmons, on the injured reserve list after he fractured his wrist six days ago.
As a result, the team have decided to add former undrafted free agent rookie, Esa Pole, who signed with the team out of Washington State back in May, to the 53-man active roster as of Wednesday.
In addition, the Chiefs bought in former Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle, Matt Waletzko, to the practice squad.
Chiefs Lose Starting OT: Make Additions To Active Roster, Practice Squad
“We have signed Practice Squad player T Esa Pole to an active roster contract.” The Chiefs posted on X on Wednesday. “We have placed T Josh Simmons on Reserve/Injured.
We have signed T Matt Waletzko to the Practice Squad.”
News about Waletzko likely being the practice squad addition started circulating from The Athletic’s Jesse Newell earlier in the day, having released a lengthy list of players that they had come into the facility to tryout two days prior.
“Matt Waletzko was in the Chiefs’ locker room today (No. 73).” Newell wrote in a post on X. “With OT Esa Pole getting elevated for the IR’ed Josh Simmons, Waletzko should take up the vacated practice squad spot.”
How Will The Chiefs’ Offensive Line Be Impacted By This Move?
Esa Pole – as most would expect – is unlikely to move into a starting role anytime soon, unless there is some sort of injury calamity at the position in the near future.
Simmons’ spot will be filled by Jaylon Moore, who has played well when called upon this season – managing a 65.7 grade from Pro Football Focus on the year.
Perhaps the bigger concern for the team on the line is that of Jawaan Taylor, who despite having another slightly disappointing down year, is still a starting-caliber offensive tackle in the NFL.
Taylor did not practice on Wednesday due to a triceps injury, and is questionable to play on Sunday against the Texans. This would likely make former third round pick, Wanya Morris, the next man up to bookend the right side of the offensive line.
What Will Waletzko And Pole Bring To The Chiefs?
Pole was initially released during final cuts in late August – as one would expect from a rookie undrafted free agent. After being claimed off of waivers by the New York Jets – and subsequently cut a couple of months later – he landed on Chiefs’ practice squad.
Clearly he has shown enough to be elevated to the active roster, although this won’t necessarily mean he is next in line to play. The team could instead decide to use Waletzko – who has played in 11 NFL games – as a game-day elevation, given his greater professional experience than the talented Pole.
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