Free agent Kevin Vickerson signed by Kansas City Chiefs after Mike DeVito's injury

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Kevin Vickerson, a 6'5, 328-pound defensive lineman who played for the Denver Broncos. A little gamesmanship perhaps as the Chiefs get set to play the Broncos in five days? Nah, they just really needed the defensive line help and Vickerson is a veteran who is available.

It's a one year deal between Vickerson and the Chiefs, according to Pro Football Talk who reported the news.

[Update: Chiefs also worked out three free agent linebackers | Chiefs just made 15 roster moves]

This move obviously comes after the season-ending Achilles injury to Mike DeVito, who plays defensive end. Andy Reid said the Chiefs would be looking at free agents to make up for the loss of DeVito and Derrick Johnson. I'm assuming that Vickerson will fill in as depth right now. The Chiefs currently have Jaye Howard and Vance Walker along the defensive line, too.

Vickerson, who has experience in the 3-4 and 4-3, was cut by the Broncos before the season. Here's what Mile High Report had to say on the release of Vickerson on August 30:

Unfortunately the writing was on the wall for the veteran defensive tackle who was surpassed by 2013 first round Sylvester Williams and free agent Marvin Austin who has been impressing the Broncos this offseason.

...

It's tough losing Vickerson who has been a solid player for the Broncos but there is just too much depth at defensive tackle, and it was just time to move on. I do think Vickerson will latch on somewhere else and be a productive member of that teams defensive rotation.

It was rumored he was heading to Cincinnati to play for the Bengals but that never materialized.

At this point, Vickerson is a candidate for serious playing time. I don't know if it comes right away -- as in this Sunday when the Chiefs visit the Broncos -- but he's a multi-year veteran with the Chiefs thin on the line. Vickerson started 11 games last year (before injuring his hip) and 14 the year before so he comes in with experience.

Vickerson first came into the league as a 2005 draft pick by Nick Saban and the Dolphins. He also played with the Titans and Seahawks before carving out a home in Denver from 2010-13. He now joins the Chiefs on a one-year contract.

Here are Vickerson's career stats.

The bonus here is that since Vickerson, a vested veteran, was not on the roster Week 1 so his full salary is not guaranteed. That's why teams often wait until after Week 1 to sign veteran players.