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About 45 minutes after the Kansas City Chiefs announced they placed Jacques Reeves on injured reserve, it's being reported that they've signed a new player. Adam Caplan reports (H/T stagdsp) it's an old Patriot connection:
#Chiefs agree to a one-year deal with veteran C/G Russ Hochstein, per source. Obvious connection there with Pioli and Crennel.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 25, 2012
Hochstein is a former Patriots offensive lineman. He was originally a 2001 fifth round pick by the Bucs and then moved to New England the following year where he played for six years. He's since bounced around from the Broncos and Cardinals.
The reason for this move likely has something to do with Rodney Hudson's injury. The Chiefs center was hurt in last Sunday's game against the Saints. Guard Ryan Lilja slid over and played in his place while rookie Jeff Allen took Lilja's spot at guard. Considering all the circumstances, that group did fine.
As a center/guard, Hochstein can backup both Lilja and Allen. Hochstein has 36 career starts as a reserve lineman.
Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Winston recently talked on Monday about the offensive line shake-up and his message basically: that's life.
"The guys go down," Winston said, "you have to fill them in, you have to step up and unfortunately it's happened for us early in the year but almost every team goes through something like that where there's going to be shortages at positions and guys are going to have to play positions that they may not be used to playing or guys that haven't had a lot of experience are going to have to step up and play."
The last we heard on Hudson, Romeo Crennel was hoping to hear something by Tuesday or Wednesday. The Chiefs worked out another offensive lineman before signing Hochstein.
Here's a picture of Hochstein below. He's the one getting punched in the face by Tyson Jackson.
Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE