The Kansas City Chiefs revealed a 53-man roster move ahead of Week 8, following the Omarr Norman-Lott injury news on October 20.
“We have placed DT Omarr Norman-Lott on Reserve/Injured. We have signed Practice Squad player CB Kevin Knowles to an active roster contract,” the Chiefs announced on October 21.
Knowles, 22, is an undrafted rookie who emerged throughout the spring and summer, only to earn three immediate practice squad elevations from Week 2 through Week 4.
Although Knowles is a cornerback and nickel DB by trade, the rookie has done well to impress special teams coordinator Dave Toub. For that reason, 100% of his NFL snaps so far have come on special teams.
Within an organization like Kansas City’s, that show of trust can reveal a great deal. Not only does Knowles provide energy and juice, but he’s also likely a very intelligent, hard-working, and polished youngster if he’s caught the eye of Toub and head coach Andy Reid this early.
Omarr Norman-Lott’s Rookie Season Is Over as Chiefs Make IR News Official
GettyKansas City Chiefs rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott.
There is no sugarcoating it, losing Norman-Lott to a torn ACL hurts. The Chiefs’ interior defensive line depth was very thin going into draft season earlier this spring.
Then, KC revealed their master plan, spending a second-round selection on the Tennessee product. And Norman-Lott lived up to the hype throughout training camp and the early season.
Despite only registering 1.0 sack and 1 tackle for a loss over his first 5 games, Norman-Lott plugged a hole on the Chiefs’ D-line, and he had been doing his job well for a rookie. The hope was that he’d continue to develop as the season progressed, eventually turning into Chris Jones’ right-hand man on the interior.
Now that development will be halted for the remainder of this season, and potentially, most of next year’s spring and summer program.
In the meantime, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach must also replace Norman-Lott, which he has yet to do.
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