Chiefs sign local defensive end to join crowded roster battle

In the wake of roster evaluation following the completion of their first preseason game, a 20-17 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs have added a new defensive end to the roster in Nate Matlack.

The signing of Matlack comes in response to a foot fracture suffered by Janarius Robinson near the end of the game against Arizona.

The Chiefs added a local product to the mix at defensive end in Nate Matlack.

Matlack should be a familiar name to those in the region as a product of both Olathe East and Kansas State. Matlack transferred to Pitt last season after three years with the Wildcats. He had 5 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss last season for the Panthers.

Before his transfer to Pittsburgh, Matlack had only started in 7 games despite playing in 39. However with the Panthers, he became a full-season starter who could grow with a greater amount of reps each week.

Given his excellent athletic profile and impressive agility, Matlack likely has the Chiefs front office at least curious about what his ceiling could be if away from a rather unfriendly K-State defensive front in terms of pro translation.

Matlack joins a rather deep group for the Chiefs, although the defensive end position is not without its concerns for ceiling. Mike Danna and George Karlaftis anchor the position with Charles Omenihu, third-round rookie Ashton Gillotte, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah as roster locks. Malik Herring is also competing for a final roster spot alongside Robinson.

Matlack comes to a Chiefs' defense with just three days of training camp practices remaining and with another preseason game on the schedule on Friday, a shorter week, at Seattle to face the Seahawks.

As for his chances of sticking at the NFL level, the Chiefs have revealed that he's on a short list of candidates to call in case of emergency and a strong showing the final two preseason games could at least bring a practice squad spot into view.