When the Kansas City Chiefs released NT Kenny Smith earlier this week, it was widely presumed that someone would be promoted from the practice squad to replace him as a backup to Ron Edwards. And it was also widely presumed that the player would be NT Derek Lokey.
That presumption was wrong.
The Chiefs promoted defensive end Dion Gales from the practice squad this afternoon.
Gales is listed as a defensive end, not a nose tackle. He's also listed as 6'5", 259 pounds, which is far below the ideal weight for a nose tackle, backup or otherwise.
So is Gales backing up Edwards? We'll find out tomorrow but the timing of the transaction, and the current state of the Chiefs nose tackles would suggest that he is.
In nickel situations, Wallace Gilberry has lined up as a defensive tackle as well.
Gales' promotion also means that there is now one open spot on the practice squad.
Interesting side note on Gales: He had 85 rushing yards as a junior in high school. Can you imagine him running over 17 and 18 year old kids? Sheesh, talk about the high school version of Brandon Jacobs.