Chiefs roster update: Chiefs signing Taylor Stallworth to 53, plus 3 other moves

The Kansas City Chiefs are making their move at defensive tackle.

Following starter Tershawn Wharton’s season-ending ACL injury during Monday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders, five-year veteran Taylor Stallworth is being promoted to the active roster from the practice squad, according to his agent, Brett Tessler.

In early April, the Chiefs signed the 27-year-old Stallworth to compete for a spot at defensive tackle. Many of us here at Arrowhead Pride — including yours truly — and elsewhere thought he had a good chance to round out the defensive roster. But Khalen Saunders had a strong camp, beating out Stallworth for the initial 53.

In early May, general manager Brett Veach noted the Stallworth addition was about building depth along the interior of the defensive line. That thought process has now paid off.

Stallworth first entered the NFL in 2018, linking up with the New Orleans Saints out of South Carolina as an undrafted free agent. Stallworth spent two seasons with the Saints and two with the Indianapolis Colts before catching on with the Chiefs.

In 50 regular-season games, Stallworth has compiled 44 tackles (27 solo), including six tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

To make room for Stallworth, the Chiefs waived defensive end Benton Whitley, who they had signed off the Los Angeles Rams practice squad. The Chiefs cut defensive tackle Cortez Broughton from the practice squad, but Danny Shelton remains on the practice squad roster. The Chiefs also added running back Wayne Gallman to the practice squad.

In 61 career games with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, the 28-year-old Gallman has accumulated 447 touches for 2,067 yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. His best season was with the Giants in 2020, when he carried the ball 147 times for 682 yards and six rushing touchdowns, as well as catching 21 passes for 114 yards.