Chiefs Announce Signings To Form Initial 16-man Practice Squad

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed 16 players to the practice squad ahead of the 2026 season. The team officially announced the initial practice squad in two waves: 12 players on Monday, then four more on Tuesday.

Here are the 16 practice-squad players, subject to change after Tuesday’s waiver claims process, with a quick note on each:

Running backs (3)

• Jaydn Ott

The undrafted rookie from Oklahoma only played nine snaps on offense in the preseason, all of them coming in the opening exhibition. He caught two passes for 40 yards. Kansas City may have been stashing Ott in preseason Weeks 2 and 3.

• Nate Carter

The second-year back from Michigan State gained 60 yards over nine rushing attempts for the Atlanta Falcons last season.

Editor’s note: According to the NFL Transactions Report, Carter has an exception as a member of the practice squad, meaning the team can sign a 17th player — like recently waived defensive tackle Marcus Harris, who cleared Tuesday’s waiver wire.

Editor’s note to the editor’s note: I was wrong. Per staff writer Jared Sapp, Exception appears to be the category for players with accrued service time but not veteran status.So a player will have to be released from the practice squad for Harris to be signed.

• Ben VanSumeren

The return of the fullback features VanSumeren, a fourth-year player who began his career as a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wide receivers (2)

• Andrew Armstrong

Arguably the closest to the active roster of the practice-squad members, Armstrong’s family ties to Kansas City likely made it feel guaranteed that he would pick the Chiefs over the other 31 practice squads to sign with.

• Omari Evans

The undrafted rookie from the University of Washington stood out during training camp by playing with the speed he showed at his Pro Day when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds.

Offensive linemen (2)

• Pete Nygra

The undrafted rookie from Louisville played 182 snaps in the preseason, according to Pro Football Focus. He lined up at left guard for 36 snaps, center for 85 snaps and right guard for 61 snaps.

• Ethan Driskell

This preseason, the third-year player from Marshall lined up at right tackle 44 times and left tackle 54 times. He allowed three pressures over 57 pass-blocking snaps.

Defensive linemen (3)

• Cole Brevard

The undrafted rookie from the University of Texas was the heaviest player on the Chiefs’ offseason roster and will wait in the reserves while Khyiris Tonga and rookie Bryson Eason take up the spots for nose tackle on the active roster.

• Emmanuel Ogbah

The oldest player on the practice squad didn’t show enough in the preseason to earn a roster spot — or have the team worried he’ll be signed elsewhere — but that doesn’t mean he won’t be ready to contribute later in the season if needed.

• Tyreke Smith

The second-year player from Ohio State looked the part of a bottom-of-the-rotation edge defender in camp, and could be back in that mix for the fifth spot next preseason.

Linebackers (2)

• Cole Christiansen
• Cam Jones

Two Chiefs veterans who can be called up at a moment’s notice to fill in on special teams.

Defensive backs (4)

• Tanner McAlister

The fifth-year safety from Ohio State has appeared in six games over the 2023 and 2024 NFL seasons.

• D’Arco Perkins-McAlister

There was a lot to like about this undrafted rookie, listed at 6 feet tall and 200 pounds with 32-inch arms, from the University of Louisiana-Monroe during the preseason. As an outside cornerback, he played physically at the catch point and will be one to remember next preseason.

• DeShon Singleton

The undrafted rookie from Nebraska battled with rookie Xavier Nwankpa for arguably the final spot on the 53-man roster. Both are similarly bigger-bodied safeties who look comfortable playing over the top; Nwankpa’s special-teams experience may have been the difference.

• Kader Kohou

Kohou is an easy call-up should any of the Chiefs’ slot defenders — L’Jarius Sneed, Christian Roland-Wallace, rookie Jadon Canady — get injured, especially now that Kevin Knowles, who initially made the 53-man roster, was claimed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being waived on Monday.