Chiefs sign running back to practice squad

On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs completed the string of transactions that began when defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah was lost for the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle, signing running back Elijah McGuire to their practice squad.

McGuire, 25, is a third-year player the New York Jets drafted out of Louisiana-Lafayette in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. 5-feet-10 and 214 pounds, over two seasons with the Jets, he played in 24 games — starting five — before joining the Cleveland Browns last spring. He was on their practice squad until late October.

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With the Jets, McGuire gained 591 yards and scored four touchdowns on 180 carries. He also had 370 yards and two touchdowns on 36 catches. He fumbled four times on his 216 touches.

For the Ragin’ Cajuns, McGuire played in 51 games over four seasons, accumulating 5,695 yards and 52 touchdowns on 840 touches.

McGuire’s signing is a bit of a surprise. When Ogbah was placed on injured reserve a week ago Monday, the Chiefs promoted wide receiver Gehrig Dieter to take his spot on the active roster, which left Dieter’s spot on the practice squad open.

On Thursday, the team acquired another defensive end by poaching Demone Harris from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. But because he came from another practice squad, the Chiefs had to place him directly on their active roster — which required them to make more room by waiving defensive tackle Joey Ivie.

The presumption was that if Ivie cleared waivers — which he did — the Chiefs would re-sign him to the open spot on their practice squad. Instead, the team has opted to take on another running back.