The Kansas City Chiefs revealed one practice squad elevation ahead of the Week 3 Sunday Night Football matchup with the New York Giants.
We have activated Practice Squad player CB Kevin Knowles via Standard Elevation,” the team’s social media team account relayed on X.
WR Xavier Worthy has now been ruled out for Sunday night’s game (shoulder). He will not travel with the team.
They also confirmed the status of wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who has officially been ruled out for Week 3.
Undrafted Rookie Kevin Knowles Is Becoming a Favorite of the Chiefs Coaching Staff
Knowles was one of the undrafted rookies who stood out this spring and summer, getting a lot of work at nickel, guarding the slot. Apparently, he’s also impressed the Chiefs as a special teamer.
Dave Merritt talked about knowing your job. He recognizes the adjustment and even alerts Kristian Fulton. Fulton a 5-year vet and Knowles an undrafted free agent. Plus
Through three weeks of practice squad elevations, Knowles has already been promoted twice. He was called upon in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles, logging 10 special teams snaps.
The Chiefs have not utilized Knowles on defense yet, but he gives them another nickel option behind Chamarri Conner, Trent McDuffie and Christian Roland-Wallace.
As for his special teams impact, Pro Football Focus credited Knowles with 1 tackle and a 68.0 grade in Week 2. His 10 snaps were split between kick return coverage, punt return coverage and field goal block.
During the preseason, Knowles also blocked a PAT against the Chicago Bears.
The Chiefs are allowed to elevate the rookie one more time following Week 3. After which, they must sign him to the 53-man roster if they intend to keep playing him on special teams. So, in a way, the Giants matchup is another audition for Knowles as he continues to make his case for an active role.
Chiefs Will Not Have Kristian Fulton for Week 3 vs. the Giants
The Knowles decision is mostly a special teams move, but it’s two-pronged. Veteran cornerback Kristian Fulton has already been ruled out in Week 3, and that means the Chiefs will be a bit shorthanded in the secondary once again.
Fulton missed the majority of the spring and summer, so his absence is nothing new, but it will surely impact defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s plan.
When Fulton is on the field, the Chiefs can utilize McDuffie in the slot — his best and most natural position. When they’re without him, McDuffie is needed on the perimeter, and slot responsibilities shift to Conner, fellow safety Jaden Hicks, or Roland-Wallace.
Although Roland-Wallace hasn’t really been called upon much in 2025 so far.
As mentioned above, Knowles is helpful in that area, too, giving the Chiefs a plethora of nickelback options. The same cannot be said about outside cornerback, however, as McDuffie and Jaylen Watson have pretty much stood alone on the perimeter with Fulton sidelined.
Rookie Nohl Williams logged his first 8 defensive snaps as the backup perimeter CB after Fulton’s injury in Week 2. He appears to be ahead of veteran Joshua Williams on the depth chart as of now.
When it comes to Fulton, there’s really no sugarcoating it. The Chiefs spent a lot of money to bring the veteran starter in this spring, and he hasn’t been available much. That is not ideal, as KC is now being forced to rejigger its entire operation.
The Chiefs purposefully have a lot of versatile players in the secondary, so they’ll make do without Fulton, but getting him healthy will certainly be a priority in the coming weeks, similar to the status of Worthy and Jalen Royals (questionable for Week 3) at wide receiver.
Chiefs Announce Rookie Decision Ahead of Week 3 vs. Giants