Chiefs' latest roster move will provide a quick fix for preseason Week 2's untimely injury
The Kansas City Chiefs have a new long snapper, at least temporarily. According to team sources, the Chiefs have signed former Kansas State Wildcats long snapper Randen Plattner, who attended the team's local pro day ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. He previously spent five seasons in Manhatten, Kansas, appearing in 62 collegiate games as the team's […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a new long snapper, at least temporarily.
According to team sources, the Chiefs have signed former Kansas State Wildcats long snapper Randen Plattner, who attended the team's local pro day ahead of the 2024 NFL draft. He previously spent five seasons in Manhatten, Kansas, appearing in 62 collegiate games as the team's long snapper, the second-most in school history. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent back in April, but he was waived just a week ago.
This comes after the team's starting long snapper, James Winchester, suffered an AC joint (shoulder) injury during the preseason Week 2 game. Chiefs HC Andy Reid announced the move during his press conference on Monday.
"Winchester with that AC sprain, we're going to hold him out (of preseason Week ), Reid said. "We signed a center that will come in and do the long snapping for us until he gets back."
It's unclear how long Winchester is expected to be out, but it didn't sound as if this would be a long-term injury. Chiefs HC Andy Reid later suggested that only one player (Hollywood Brown) is at risk of missing Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season.
The Chiefs' corresponding move is an expected one
After McKade Mettauer suffered an MCL injury in preseason Week 1, it was only a matter of time before the Chiefs made a roster move with the undrafted free agent offensive lineman. The team opted to waive Mettauer with an injury designation to make room for Plattner.
Should the former Oklahoma Sooner clear waivers, he'll revert to injured reserve. At that point, Mettauer can agree upon an injury settlement with the team for however many weeks he'd miss during the 2024 NFL season. After that period is up, Mettauer could re-sign with the Chiefs, either on the practice squad or on the 53-man roster should they so choose. He could also opt to stay on injured reserve and take a redshirt year in Kansas City.
Bottom line: This might not be the end of Mettauer's time with the Chiefs.
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