Chiefs re-sign running back to practice squad, consider trade for another

We learned on Monday that the Kansas City Chiefs will be without their starting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire for at least a couple of weeks — if not longer — as he recovers from a strained MCL. But now there are indications that the team may be concerned that the second-year running back may be out for longer than that.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs have re-signed running back Elijah McGuire to their practice squad.

As Rapoport notes, this is not the first time that McGuire has been with the Chiefs. In fact, he’s now been with the team’s practice squad for at least part of the last three seasons.

McGuire spent two seasons with the New York Jets — where he appeared in 24 games, starting five of them — in 2017 and 2018. After McGuire spent time on the Cleveland Browns practice squad in 2019, the Chiefs signed him to theirs in November. He’s been with the Chiefs for each of the last two offseasons, but has never made the final cutdown. Last season, he was with both the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins practice squads before being re-signed to Kansas City’s in December.

McGuire will be joining running back Derrick Gore on the team’s taxi squad. He is taking the roster spot that opened when wide receiver Josh Gordon was promoted to the active roster.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that Chiefs have also been interested in trading for Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack. Once the team’s starting running back, the 25-year-old Mack has requested a trade after getting only 20 carries for 85 yards in three games this season.

Now in his fifth season with the Colts, the former fourth-round pick has rushed for 2,468 yards (and 20 touchdowns), along with gaining 448 yards and two touchdowns through the air. His best season was in 2019, when he had 1,173 yards (and eight touchdowns) from scrimmage through 14 games — 12 of which he started.

And now there’s an indication that a trade (or an activation from the practice squad) could be imminent. Fowler is reporting that the team is going to release wide receiver Daurice Fountain.

After three seasons bouncing on and off the Colts’ practice squad, Fountain had a strong preseason with the Chiefs, ultimately making the final roster. But he has been inactive for each of the team’s five games — and now that Gordon has been signed to the team, he has apparently become expendable.

UPDATE 1:46 PM Through their official Twitter account, the Chiefs have confirmed the signing of McGuire and release of Fountain — while adding Edwards-Helaire to their Reserve/Injured list and activating Gore and tackle Prince Tega Wanogho from the practice squad.

Linebacker Darius Harris also made it back to the practice squad, per the NFL’s official transactions report.