Chiefs sign former Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson

The Chiefs have signed former Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson to a one-year deal, a source confirmed to The Star on Monday.

Vickerson, 31, was a four-year starter in Denver who was released by the Broncos in late August. He logged 22 tackles and a sack in 11 games last season before he was placed on injured reserve with an injured hip.

Pro Football Talk first reported the signing.

The Chiefs are seeking depth across the defensive line following the season-ending achilles injury to starting defensive end Mike DeVito. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday that backups Vance Walker and Jaye Howard are in line for more playing time with the injury, but didn't rule out the team adding more help via free agency following their disappointing 26-10 loss to Tennessee in the season opener.

“We’ll look at our practice squad players, we’ll also look in the free agent area and also any other option that’s available,” Reid said. “Dorse (general manager John Dorsey) came back after the game with his guys and they’re looking at different players around the league.”

Vickerson, who is listed at 6 feet 5 and 328 pounds, has recorded 153 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks across nine NFL seasons with the Broncos, Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins.

Last year, he posted a Pro Football Focus grade of negative-9.0, which ranked 56th out of 69 NFL tackles who logged at least 25 percent of their team's defensive snaps. It was a departure from the prior season, when he logged a grade of negative-2.0 in 2012 in 135 more snaps (537).

This story was originally published September 9, 2014 at 12:03 AM with the headline "Chiefs sign former Broncos defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson."