In an attempt to reinforce depth at running back due to injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs have signed Elijah McGuire to the team’s practice squad according to the NFL’s transaction report.
The Chiefs made the decision to sign McGuire due to injuries suffered by both Damien Williams and LeSean McCoy. The two top running backs were forced to leave the Week 11 Monday Night Football victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with injuries. While McCoy seems to be okay according to Andy Reid, we don’t yet have an injury update on Williams. Look for that to arrive on Wednesday when the first injury report of the week is released.
Any injury will open up an opportunity for rookie Darwin Thompson who hasn’t seen much playing time this season. However, it’s still important to be prepared in case further injury strikes. The signing of McGuire will be an essential insurance option heading into the Week 13 matchup with the Oakland Raiders. McGuire was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He caught 36 passes for 370 yards scoring four touchdowns to go along with 591 rushing yards in the last two seasons for New York. He served in primarily a reserve role during his tenure.
The 27-year-old’s playmaking fits the Chiefs playing style as he’s been known for his versatility out of the backfield. He caught 130 passes while in college at Lousiana-Lafayette, so the ball skills are second nature for the journeyman halfback.
The Chiefs did not make a corresponding move on the practice squad as Gehrig Dieter was elevated prior to Week 11. McGuire will fill the spot vacated by Dieter. The team hasn’t made an official announcement concerning the running back rotation for Raiders week, but this is another viable option if the injuries continue to pile up.
