Former Chiefs defender who played in Super Bowl LIX expected to have starting role at injury-depleted position for Giants in Week 3
The New York Giants might have a secret weapon on defense against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.
A former Kansas City Chiefs defender is expected to play an outsized role for the New York Giants in the upcoming Week 3 tilt between the two clubs on “Sunday Night Football.”
Chiefs fans might recognize a name in the Giants’ injury-depleted linebacker corps. New York signed LB Swayze Bozeman from the practice squad to the active roster this week after placing LB Chris Board on IR.
After a successful preseason in Kansas City in 2024, Bozeman spent his entire rookie season with the Chiefs on the practice squad. He earned his first elevation from the practice squad on Dec. 7, marking the start of a two-game stretch where he’d see standard elevations. He played on Christmas Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers, making his most significant impact yet with three total tackles on 25 combined defensive and special teams snaps. After practice squad elevations reset for the playoffs, Bozeman was elevated for all three playoff games, including Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles, where he had 21 snaps on special teams and recorded two tackles.
Following the loss to Philly in the Super Bowl, Bozeman opted not to return to Kansas City. He signed with the Chicago Bears, where he spent the entire 2025 NFL offseason. However, he failed to make Chicago’s 53-man roster during the cuts, which is when he caught on with the New York practice squad.
Former Chiefs LB Swayze Bozeman isn’t too far down the Giants’ linebacker depth chart
The Giants are particularly banged up at the linebacker position heading into Week 3, with LB Darius Muasau ruled out due to the NFL’s concussion protocol and LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles listed as doubtful with a calf injury. Their standout linebacker, Micah McFadden, is already on injured reserve alongside the aforementioned Chris Board. Right now, the Giants’ linebacker depth chart consists of Bobby Okereke, Neville Hewitt, Tomon Fox, and Bozeman.
Bozeman is expected to play beside Okereke in both base and nickel packages, according to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, which likely means he’ll get the starting nod and play the most defensive snaps he has played in a single NFL game since entering the league. Bozeman has familiarity with how the Chiefs operate, based on his time in Kansas City in 2024, where he worked primarily against then-backup QB Carson Wentz. That could work to New York’s advantage if the Chiefs aren’t careful.
For Kansas City, the linebacker injuries are even more reason to feed their running game, which has been entirely ineffective through the first two games of the 2025 NFL season.
Kansas City Chiefs News
Chiefs make surprising decision with Week 2 practice squad elevation, leaving one position depleted vs. Eagles
The Kansas City Chiefs made a single practice squad elevation for Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
