Late season addition for Kansas City Chiefs won't play in Week 18 finale vs. Denver Broncos
While speaking to the media on Friday, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that recently acquired cornerback Steven Nelson will likely not be elevated from the practice squad to play against the Denver Broncos in the Week 18 regular season finale. "Well, you know, you only have a couple [practice squad] elevations you can […]
While speaking to the media on Friday, Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that recently acquired cornerback Steven Nelson will likely not be elevated from the practice squad to play against the Denver Broncos in the Week 18 regular season finale.
"Well, you know, you only have a couple [practice squad] elevations you can do, so I don't think you're probably going to see him," Reid said.
Things can always change, but if what Reid said remains true, that will mean no regular season action for Nelson with Kansas City in 2024. With question marks at cornerback following the injury to Jaylen Watson and the inconsistent play of Nazeeh Johnson and Joshua Williams, the Chiefs signed Nelson back in Week 14.
After a brief retirement, Nelson has spent his few weeks with the team getting up to speed, both mentally and physically. Nelson is now in his 10th NFL season. The Chiefs drafted him in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He left in free agency following the 2018 season, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then he has also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans.
Nelson has had a very solid professional career, recording 456 tackles, 13 interceptions, 78 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and one sack. As a rookie with the Chiefs he started out as a slot corner, but in 2016 became the full-time outside starting corner, eventually developing into one of the best in the league in press-man coverage.
With Watson expected to re-join the Chiefs for the postseason run, we may never see Nelson activated to the main 53-man roster. However, it's still a big positive to have him waiting in the wings on the practice squad if needed, and Nelson has the opportunity to get a Super Bowl ring before he officially calls it a career.
