With multiple roster spots to fill after some recent roster shuffling, it appears the Kansas City Chiefs are adding another playmaker to the ranks.
The defending Super Bowl champions are planning to sign fifth-year WR Tajae Sharpe to the practice squad, as first reported by Kansas City Star beat reporter Herbie Teope on Thursday, later confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Sharpe, who still needs to clear COVID-19 protocols, was one of two wideouts worked out by Kansas City in recent days, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The other receiver, Chad Williams, a 2017 third-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals, appears to have been overtaken by Sharpe in the eyes of the Chiefs front office.
The reported signing comes two days after the Chiefs waived wideout Marcus Kemp from the 53-man roster, a move likely made possible by the return of third-year pass-catcher Byron Pringle from the injured reserve list. On Wednesday, Kemp landed with the Miami Dolphins practice squad, keeping the possibility alive that he can contribute for a playoff contender down the stretch.
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Sharpe’s Early Days With Vikings, Titans
Sharpe, 25, was most recently waived by the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, where he dressed for four games this season but did not register a single catch on his three targets. The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder originally entered the league as a fifth-round draft pick (No. 140 overall) of the Tennessee Titans in 2016.
In Tennessee, Sharpe was elevated to a starting role early in his career, starting 10-of-16 games and hauling in 41 passes, 522 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a rookie before losing his entire 2017 campaign to a season-ending foot injury.
Coming off of super productive junior and senior seasons at the University of Massachusetts, Sharpe’s 4.55-second 40-yard dash time and smaller than average hand size lent themselves to more of a possession role at the next level, rather than a burner in the mold of speedsters Tyreek Hill or Mecole Hardman.
Sharpe is now set to join three other receivers — Gehrig Dieter, Jody Fortson and Maurice Ffrench — on the Chiefs practice squad heading into the final three weeks of the regular season.
Multiple Ex-Chiefs Land With New Teams
In addition to Kemp finding a new home in Miami, a handful of other former Chiefs players have been on the move this week, too.
On Tuesday, former long-time punter Dustin Colquitt got a tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also poached OL Danny Isidora off of Kansas City’s practice squad, marking the veteran lineman’s fourth NFL team in as many seasons.
Wednesday saw the Detroit Lions sign former XFL star QB Jordan Ta’amu to their practice squad as the team continues to search for pieces to take into its looming offseason rebuild. Ta’amu spent the better part of the 2020 campaign on the Chiefs practice squad before being released on October 27.
On Thursday, another former Patrick Mahomes backup, Kyle Shurmur, got a new opportunity in Cinncinati, officially signing with the Bengals practice squad after a short stint with the Denver Broncos earlier this month.
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Chris Licata is an NFL contributor covering the Kansas City Chiefs from enemy territory in Denver, Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @Chris__Licata or join the Heavy on Chiefs Facebook community for the latest out of Chiefs Kingdom!
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Chiefs Signing Ex-Titans, Vikings Wide Receiver: Report