Just hours away from the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 8 Monday Night Football matchup with the Washington Commanders, KC elected to make two final roster moves, utilizing their practice squad elevations.
And one of the two decisions hints that the Chiefs could be without starting right guard Trey Smith on October 27.
“The Chiefs have elevated OG CJ Hanson and DT Marlon Tuipulotu for tonight’s game against the Washington Commanders, per source,” Chiefs Digest beat reporter Matt Derrick relayed on Monday afternoon.
Obviously, the Kansas City offensive line is already down one starter, with rookie left tackle Josh Simmons out indefinitely as he deals with a family matter. Smith would make two, and the Chiefs already hinted that his absence was very possible on October 25.
“Trey Smith is doubtful for Monday Night’s game against the Commanders,” the team’s social media account announced on Saturday.
With the elevation of a backup guard in Hanson, it feels even more likely that Smith could be held out with a back injury.
Expect Mike Caliendo to Start If the Chiefs Scratch Trey Smith for MNF vs. the Commanders
Hanson is a recent seventh-round draft pick who has been developing on the KC practice squad for the past year and a half. Clearly, based on this elevation, the Chiefs feel confident in his ability to step in, if needed.
However, it’s safe to say he will not start if Smith is sidelined on Monday night.
That honor will fall to backup interior offensive lineman Mike Caliendo, who has started games for Kansas City in the past. Caliendo has become the new Nick Allegretti, and head coach Andy Reid has expressed confidence in him starting games for the Chiefs.
Last week, Caliendo logged 65 offensive snaps in place of Smith, and KC won in a blowout. That’s not to say they dominated the lowly Las Vegas Raiders because of Caliendo, but his presence didn’t impact the offense in a negative way either.
Chiefs Elevate Marlon Tuipulotu to Help Reinforce Shallow DT Position in Week 8
Similarly, the other Week 8 practice squad elevation will help spell a Chiefs injury, too. After Week 7, it was revealed that rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott would miss the remainder of the 2025 season with a torn ACL.
Although the Chiefs made no immediate move to replace the youngster on the active roster, they do have plenty of defensive tackle depth on the practice squad. Tuipulotu is one of the more trusted reserves in this regard.
He’s already been elevated twice in 2025, so Week 8 will be the final time KC is able to promote Tuipulotu without signing him to the 53.
It remains to be seen if the Chiefs’ front office will look outside the organization to replace Norman-Lott. Defensive tackle is certainly an area of need that could be explored further at the trade deadline.
At the same time, Kansas City could just sign someone like Tuipulotu to the active roster, or continue elevating alternative practice squad DTs for the time being. The other two options are Brodric Martin, who has already been elevated once, and Zacch Pickens, who has not been elevated yet in 2025.
Outside of superstar Chris Jones, the defensive tackle position continues to be a major area of need for the Chiefs.
Chiefs Make 2 Last-Minute Roster Moves, Hinting at Key Injury Absence: Report