On a big-play day for Chiefs’ defense, Kpassagnon made the first one

A big-play day for the Chiefs’ defense included five sacks and two takeaways ... and outside linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon got none of them.

But Kpassagnon logged the Chiefs’ first big defensive moment and swung the game’s momentum in the first quarter of a 30-23 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

The set-up: Denver led 7-3 early in the second quarter and had driven into Chiefs territory. The Broncos faced a third-and-2 from the 31. They were easily in field-goal range for Brandon McManus but were looking for more when Case Keenum took the snap.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders went in motion from the right and took a handoff. But before Sanders could turn the corner, Kpassagnon had shed the block of tight end Matt LaCosse.

Sanders was dropped for a 6-yard loss.

The Broncos trotted out the field goal unit, and McManus missed from 55 yards.

The Chiefs scored on the ensuing possession and never trailed.

“I saw everybody get hyped on the sideline,” Kpassagnon said. “I was hyped.”

He should have been. The second-year pro has been working his way back from an ankle injury. He hasn’t missed a game but didn’t log a snap on defense in the previous week’s victory over Cincinnati.

Kpassagnon is part of an outside linebacker rotation that hasn’t included Justin Houston for the past three games because of injury. Rookie Breeland Speaks has started with Dee Ford, and the Chiefs recently signed Frank Zombo for depth. But they’re counting on Kpassagnon to make plays like he did Sunday.

“How good was that one?” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Does his ankle feel perfect? No. But he’s pushed through it and pushed himself to get back in there and he makes a huge play like that. It’s a tribute to the kid. He’s a tough nut.”

The tackle for loss turned out to be Kpassagnon’s only number on the defensive stat sheet — it was his first credited tackle since the second week.

Kpassagnon played extensively with other non-regulars in last year’s regular-season finale at Denver and recorded three tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks, that day.

But this was bigger, providing an early momentum shift after the Broncos believed they had made the right call.

“It’s been a successful play for us,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “Obviously, you can play Monday morning quarterback ...”

The tackle for loss changed the direction of the game.

“I thought it was a good call,” Keenum said. “(Kpassagnon) made a great play.”

Blair Kerkhoff

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

This story was originally published October 28, 2018 at 6:06 PM.