The Kansas City Chiefs are reinforcing their depth at a key position on offense with their latest practice squad signing.
The team announced on Thursday that they had signed former Arizona Cardinals RB Keaontay Ingram to the practice squad. The team had a free spot on the practice squad after they promoted CB Ekow Boye-Doe to the 53-man roster on Tuesday. Ingram, a former 2022 sixth-round draft pick who played college football for Texas and USC, was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday.
Ingram will wear the same No. 30 jersey that he wore in Arizona. Check out the image below from FOX 4 KC's PJ Green:
Ingram has some experience, but little production
Ingram has appeared in 20 total games with one career start since his rookie campaign in 2022. The 6-foot and 220-pound running back has recorded 62 carries for 134 yards and a single rushing touchdown in that span, averaging just 2.2 yards per rushing attempt during his professional career. He does offer some value as a receiver with eight catches on nine targets for 47 yards (5.9 yards per reception career average).
During his final season of college football at USC, Ingram amassed 156 carries for 911 yards and five touchdowns. He added 22 receptions for 156 yards through the air as well.
Why did the Chiefs sign Ingram?
It may not seem like it, but the Chiefs are extremely weak at the running back position right now. Jerick McKinnon is dealing with a nagging groin injury. La'Mical Perine has exhausted all of his practice squad elevations. The team has also made it abundantly clear that rookie RB Deneric Prince is not yet ready for NFL action.
The extent of the team's depth right now is Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. That's not exactly the most inspiring situation to be in if you're in Kansas City, knowing that Pacheco has a physical running style that has got him injured down the stretch before. Adding a player like Ingram to the mix ensures that the team has some experienced depth behind the trio of players on the active roster in Pacheco, McKinnon, and Edwards-Helaire.
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