Chiefs’ Powell to make his NFL debut vs. Chargers. Here’s the list of inactive players
Wide receiver Cornell Powell officially makes his NFL debut tonight.
The Chiefs’ fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is not among Kansas City’s list of seven inactive players for Sunday evening’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Kansas City needed depth at the wide receiver position in the wake of Mecole Hardman (abdomen) landing on injured reserve and JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) being ruled out on Friday’s injury report.
The Chiefs on Saturday used standard practice squad elevations on Powell and Marcus Kemp to bolster depth behind Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, Justin Watson and rookie Skyy Moore. Powell and Kemp also project to contribute on special teams.
The 6-foot, 204-pound Powell, who will revert to the practice squad Monday, enjoyed a strong start to training camp this past summer but didn’t make the initial 53-player roster for a second straight season. He now has an opportunity to reward the Chiefs’ patience in him with a good outing against the Chargers.
The rest of the Chiefs’ inactive players Sunday night are cornerback Chris Lammons (concussion), running back Ronald Jones, quarterback Shane Buechele, defensive end Joshua Kaindoh, defensive end Malik Herring and rookie offensive lineman Darian Kinnard.
Herring stepped up the past two games during defensive end Frank Clark’s suspension, but Clark is back now.
Like Smith-Schuster, Lammons was ruled out on Friday’s injury report and his absence will affect special teams, where he is a core four-phase contributor. Rookie defensive back Nazeeh Johnson, a healthy inactive the past two games, is dressed for action to help fill in for Lammons.
For the Chargers, quarterback Easton Stick, kicker Dustin Hopkins, tight end Gerald Everett, wide receiver Jason Moore Jr., running back (and Missouri Tigers product) Larry Rountree III, linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu and offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes won’t play against the Chiefs.
Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (hamstring) and Mike Williams (ankle) are active.
This story was originally published November 20, 2022 at 6:10 PM.
