The Kansas City Chiefs may have a second chance at sneaking a player onto their practice squad after he was an important piece of the 90-man offseason roster during the last several months.

The Tennessee Titans signed cornerback Jaylon Jones to the team’s 53-man roster on Thursday, waiving cornerback Melvin Smith Jr. in the process. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because Smith spent the majority of the 2025 NFL season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Smith joined Kansas City by way of undrafted free agency out of Southern Arkansas. He was promoted to the 53-man roster last December as injuries took hold on what was a lost season for the Chiefs.

“Last year was a good learning year,” Smith told reporters last month. “Coming in. Of course, like I said, the playbook and stuff. Having to learn the playbook, learn how things are run here. To learn from Trent (McDuffie) and guys like J-Wat (Jaylen Watson), Bryan Cook, it was really a big learning year and trying to soak in everything, be a sponge to them.”

Melvin Smith Jr. got plenty of starting repetitions for the Chiefs during training camp and the preseason

Smith spent the entire 2026 NFL offseason working toward a role and a chance at a 53-man roster spot. He was one of the team’s starting cornerbacks as the Chiefs dealt with injuries to Mansoor Delane and L’Jarius Sneed. He even drew a start in preseason Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, recording two tackles.

Unfortunately, a rib injury in Week 3 of the preseason ended his chances to impress prematurely. He was waived during 53-man roster cuts, with a strong possibility that Kansas City could bring him back for a second stint on the practice squad. The Titans claimed him on waivers, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Mike Borgonzi has signed multiple Chiefs CBs this offseason, including Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson.

Now that the Titans have made their decision and put Smith back on waivers, he will be subject to the NFL’s waiver wire. However, if he clears waivers on Friday, he would be free to sign with any team. That includes the Chiefs, likely on their practice squad.

Why the Chiefs might bring Melvin Smith Jr. back to the practice squad

Smith already made it clear that he would do whatever the team needs of him. Assuming he clears waivers on Friday, Smith could help on the scout team until Kansas City inevitably faces depth issues. At some point, they’ll need someone to step up on special teams or on defense. The Chiefs have a track record of cycling practice squad players into meaningful roles when injuries strike. Smith’s familiarity with the defensive system gives him an edge over an outside addition.

With the secondary dealing with health concerns in the offseason, keeping a player like Smith in the fold on the practice squad could prove valuable as the 2026 season progresses. It’s also worth noting that Kevin Knowles II was claimed off the waiver wire during roster cuts. As things currently stand, the Chiefs only have CBs Kader Kohou and D’Arco Perkins-McAllister on the practice squad. I could see a player like Smith being more valuable to Kansas City in 2026 than either of those players. However, Perkins-McAllister might yield more long-term gains.