Chiefs sign linebacker Darin Drakeford after losing Orie Lemon to Buccaneers

The Chiefs continue to cycle through practice squad linebackers.

Just one week after losing Nico Johnson to the Bengals, the Chiefs lost Orie Lemon to the Buccaneers on Wednesday.

To replace Lemon, the Chiefs signed Darin Drakeford, who spent parts of 2013 with the team.

“Last week, my agent called me and told me to make sure I’m still in shape, because the Chiefs asked if I was still free,” Drakeford said. “And (Wednesday) he called me back and said ‘The Chiefs, they’re bringing you back.’

“I was extremely happy. This is where I started. I missed it, a lot.”

Drakeford, 23, is listed at 6 feet 1 and 240 pounds. He signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent last May out of Maryland, where he recorded 49 tackles and six sacks as a senior in 2012.

Drakeford was released at the end of training camp last year, but was signed to the practice squad. He was released again a month later, but thought he would be back at some point.

“Even last year, when they released me, they told me they would bring me back,” Drakeford said. “I was released off the practice squad because of injuries, but the following week, the Giants picked me up.”

Drakeford spent the rest of 2013 with the Giants’ and Colts’ practice squads, then spent two weeks with the Falcons this year in training camp before he was released.

Now he’s back in Kansas City to replace Lemon, who was signed only a week ago to replace Johnson.

Like Lemon, who was optimistic about his chances of making the Chiefs’ active roster at some point, Drakeford is confident in his ability.

“Another good linebacker, basically,” Drakeford said, when asked what he hopes to bring to the team. “I’m pretty sure I can play. There’s a reason I’m here. I’m just going keep learning, get back into the playbook and soon, I’ll be able to play.”

This story was originally published October 23, 2014 at 1:41 PM with the headline "Chiefs sign linebacker Darin Drakeford after losing Orie Lemon to Buccaneers."