KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs are taking steps to bolster their injury-stricken secondary by signing veteran cornerback Steven Nelson to their practice squad. Nelson, who has an extensive nine-season NFL career with four teams, has come out of retirement to rejoin the Chiefs.
The Chiefs have faced recent challenges with their cornerback lineup, losing starter Jaylen Watson to a broken ankle, which resulted in Nazeeh Johnson stepping in. However, Johnson was benched for Joshua Williams, who sustained a shoulder injury during the recent match against the Los Angeles Chargers, leaving the team in urgent need of depth in the secondary.
Nelson, 31, began his career with the Chiefs after being drafted in the third round of the 2015 draft. He played four seasons in Kansas City, where he started in 38 games before moving to the Pittsburgh Steelers for two years, followed by a season each with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans. Over his nine seasons in the league, he has made 115 career starts and recorded 13 interceptions.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid spoke positively about Nelson’s return, noting his past contributions and ability to develop into a starting cornerback in the league. “He was a good player when he was here,” Reid remarked, emphasizing that bringing in Nelson adds much-needed depth to the defensive backfield at a crucial time.
This development could signal an encouraging turnaround for the Chiefs’ defense, as the infusion of a seasoned player like Nelson may strengthen their performance in the upcoming games. As the Chiefs navigate through injuries, the hope is that Nelson’s experience and skill will elevate the team’s defensive capabilities, providing a solid foundation as they move forward in the season.