Logo

Chiefs Announce New Signing After Unfortunate Preseason Injury

KANSAS CITY, MO — Monday morning of Preseason Week 2 opened with a decisive move from Kansas City: the Chiefs signed defensive end Nate Matlack, just hours after the defense suffered two significant setbacks in two different rooms.

Janarius Robinson missed practice with a foot issue that was later identified as a fracture of the little toe; meanwhile, safety Deon Bush tore his Achilles and will be placed on season-ending IR. In that context, Andy Reid went straight to the point with a clear, forward-looking message:

“I feel bad for Deon — he tore his Achilles and will go on IR — but camp doesn’t wait; we have to keep moving. I’ve had my eye on Nate Matlack since rookie camp; he impressed with his length, burst, and work habits. Signing him isn’t a one-for-one for Deon (different position), but Matlack gives us immediate depth and competition on the edge, keeps our practice tempo up, and bolsters the group while the other guys get healthy.”

Matlack is a local product (Olathe East) who played for Kansas State and Pitt, turning heads at rookie camp with a 6’5”, 254-pound frame and real burst. His return arrives just as Robinson is sidelined, helping sustain competition at EDGE and ensuring Kansas City’s pass-rush group keeps its rhythm through a short preseason week.

Immediate Impact

  • EDGE depth stays intact while Robinson recovers, preserving quality reps in Steve Spagnuolo’s system.

  • Special teams must reshuffle without Bush, but the addition up front helps the defense maintain full-speed install periods.

  • Back-end roster battle intensifies: Matlack gets a real runway in Weeks 2–3 of the preseason to put tape on setting the edge vs. the run and finishing pass-rush reps.

  • The Chiefs aren’t letting injuries stall camp. Reid’s message is clear: keep moving, keep the tempo, and raise internal competition. For Matlack, this is a door to turn a strong summer into a longer stay. For Kansas City, it’s the way to keep the defensive machine humming despite early-August adversity.

    Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
    Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side