With Ford and Houston banged up, Chiefs sign another outside linebacker

The Chiefs have added to their outside linebacker rotation by signing free agent Nate Orchard.

Orchard, 25, spent three seasons with the Cleveland Browns before playing with Buffalo Bills earlier this year. He has 69 tackles and five sacks in his career. Orchard was a second-round pick from Utah in 2015.

The Chiefs are in need of outside linebackers. Justin Houston left Sunday’s victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars because of an injured hamstring and Dee Ford has been dealing with a groin injury. Tanoh Kpassagnon sustained an ankle injury Sunday but finished the game.

The move comes one day after the Chiefs signed Frank Zombo, who spent five years with the Chiefs before being cut at the 53-man roster deadline. The Chiefs went with four outside linebackers: Houston, Ford, Kpassagnon and rookie Breeland Speaks.

The Chiefs also signed tight end David Wells, who had been released earlier this week, to the practice squad on Wednesday. The Chiefs, who play at New England on Sunday Night Football, will issue their first injury report of the week later Wednesday.

Blair Kerkhoff

Blair Kerkhoff covers the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals and college sports for The Star.

This story was originally published October 10, 2018 at 8:54 AM.