Chiefs reinforce their weakest position group with single practice squad elevation for Week 1 vs. Chargers in Brazil
The Chiefs are hedging their bets on the interior defensive line in Week 1 against the Chargers.
When the Kansas City Chiefs kick off the 2025 NFL season against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, on Friday, Sept. 5, they’ll have some help at one of their weakest position groups.
The Chiefs have officially elevated a single player from their practice squad for the Week 1 game, bringing up second-year DT Marlon Tuipulotu. This comes after DT Omarr Norman-Lott was ruled questionable due to a nagging ankle injury that has been with him throughout training camp and the preseason. It’s also important to remember that DT Derrick Nnadi was only acquired in trade recently and is still getting his legs under him.
Teams are allowed to elevate up to two practice squad players per week during the NFL’s regular season. Each player is only allowed to be elevated a maximum of three times in the regular season before teams must sign them to the 53-man roster. After a game is played, elevated players revert to the practice squad. During the playoffs, practice squad elevations reset, and there is no limit to the number of times a player can be elevated.
What does Marlon Tuipulotu bring to the table for the Chiefs in Week 1?
Tuipulotu spent the entire season on the 53-man roster in Kansas City in 2024, but he didn’t play a whole lot. He appeared in two games with one start last season for the Chiefs, recording four total tackles and a tackle for loss. In 14 games with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, Tuipulotu recorded two sacks, 22 total tackles, and three tackles for loss.
At 6-foot-2 and 310 pounds, Tuipulotu is one of the bigger bodies the team has on the defensive interior. He graded out with a 51.3 run defense grade in 53 snaps during the preseason, according to PFF. He generated two pressures and recorded two tackles over the course of three preseason games played, with his best performance coming against the Arizona Cardinals in preseason Week 1.
It remains to be seen if Marlon plays much, but the Chiefs are hedging their bets here. Ideally, guys like Derrick Nnadi and Omarr Norman-Lott can play the bulk of the snaps. Even if Marlon doesn’t wind up playing a lot of snaps, this will be an incredible moment for the Tuipulotu family. Marlon’s younger brother, Tuli, is an edge rusher for the Los Angeles Chargers.
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