Chiefs’ prized defensive free agent returns to training camp from PUP list, giving Steve Spagnuolo the final piece of the puzzle

The Kansas City Chiefs defense just got some reinforcements with the return of CB Kristian Fulton from the Active/PUP list.

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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The Kansas City Chiefs got some good news to kick off their final training camp practice ahead of preseason Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.

After sitting out the first 13 practices in St. Joseph, Missouri, due to a cleanup surgery on his knee this spring, Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton is back on the field for Day 14 of training camp practice. Fulton was the team’s last remaining player on the Active/PUP list for Kansas City as both RT Jawaan Taylor and TE Tre Watson returned to practice earlier in camp.

The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal worth up to $20 million during the 2025 NFL free agency period. He is a former second-round draft pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of LSU. He’s appeared in 57 career games with 51 NFL starts over five seasons, spending time with both the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers.

Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton’s return means big things for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense

The goal of Fulton’s signing was not only to prepare for future departures in the secondary but to give the secondary another outside cornerback that they could trust in the rotation, allowing Trent McDuffie to slide back into the nickel with greater frequency. Unfortunately, Fulton has been sidelined by the knee injury throughout camp, leaving this plan largely unrealized. Getting him off the Active/PUP list is the last piece of the puzzle for Steve Spagnuolo’s secondary when it comes to reaching its height ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

While Fulton’s return to action is news to some, Andy Reid teased this earlier in the week. I teased the possibility of Fulton’s return just last night on FOX 4 Sports Night (Shameless plug: tune in to see me on FOX 4 at 11:00 p.m. CT every Wednesday).

WR Hollywood Brown (ankle), WR Rashee Rice (groin), TE Jake Briningstool (hamstring), and LB Cam Jones (undisclosed) remain absent from practice, which virtually guarantees that they won’t participate in preseason Week 1. Drue Tranquill (back) was back out there on Thursday after missing some time following a non-contact back injury. Guys like Tranquill and Fulton, at the very least, have a chance to participate in preseason Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.


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