Kansas City Chiefs make a practice squad elevation before their game vs. the Jets that could force them to make a roster move
The Kansas City Chiefs just elevated Marcus Harris before their game against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Last Saturday, just before their game vs. the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs made several roster moves. They elevated a player and signed one to the active roster.
The Chiefs signed Practice Squad player CB Melvin Smith to an active roster contract, activated Practice Squad player DE Tyreke Smith via Standard Elevation, and placed CB L’Jarius Sneed on Reserve/Injured. Then they elevated Tyreke Smith, the third-year player from Ohio State. The Seahawks originally selected him in the Fifth Round in 2022. This week is a bit different. They’re not elevating a cornerback; they’re elevating a defensive player.
This week, they’re just elevating Marcus Harris. This is the third elevation for the defensive tackle. Harris is in his second season with the Chiefs. He originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (247th overall) by the Houston Texans in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With rookie defensive lineman Peter Woods out Sunday with a neck injury, the Chiefs called on Harris. Omarr Norman-Lott is also still out. Harris has one tackle this year, which he got vs. the Broncos in Week 1.
Chiefs elevating Harris could force them into more roster moves
The Chiefs have elevated Harris three times now. The NFL states that each player on the practice squad can only be elevated three times in a season. If a team wants them to play more than that, they have to sign that player to the 53-man roster. Or they will have to elevate another player from their practice squad.
Practice Squad Elevation Rules
NFL clubs can elevate up to two players per week without signing them to the 53-man roster. This temporarily expands 53-man rosters to as many as 55 players, but it does not expand game-day roster limits (48).
- Players can only receive 3 standard elevations per season.
- Following the game, players automatically revert to the practice squad.
- Practice squad elevations reset for the postseason.
The Chiefs have needed extra help from the defensive line all season. Outside of guys like George Karlaftis and Mason Thomas, the defensive line hasn’t really generated any pressure. And there certainly hasn’t been any from the interior defensive line. So, this team may need Harris more throughout this year.
