Chiefs tip decision on injured starter with Week 8 practice squad elevations for 'Monday Night Football' vs. Commanders

While Tuipulotu's move is somewhat expected following Omarr Norman-Lott's injury, the elevation of Hanson is a bit of a surprise.

C.J. Hanson's elevation suggests Trey Smith is unlikely to play vs. the Commanders

Chiefs starting RG Trey Smith was listed as doubtful for Week 8 with a back injury. He was already unlikely to play in the game, but the elevation of C.J. Hanson virtually confirms that Mike Caliendo will start in Smith's place. Smith may give it a go during warmups, but I'd expect the team to make him inactive for the game.

Hanson gives the Chiefs two backup interior offensive linemen for the Week 8 game, alongside fellow 2024 NFL Draft pick Hunter Nourzad. The second-year pro vastly improved during the preseason and should prove to be a solid backup option. With an important game against the Buffalo Bills coming up in Week 9, giving Smith the week off to heal could pay some serious dividends, especially given that the Bills are bracing to lose DT Ed Oliver for an extended period of time.

Chiefs O-Line Picks in 2024 NFL Draft

• Round 2, Pick 63: BYU OL Kingsley Suamataia
• Round 5, Pick 159: Penn State OL Hunter Nourzad
• Round 7, Pick 248: Holy Cross G C.J. Hanson

Chiefs replace Omarr Norman-Lott with Marlon Tuipulotu once again

For the third time this season, Marlon Tuipulotu will be called up from the practice squad to replace rookie DT Omarr Norman-Lott. Tuipulotu replaced Norman-Lott in Week 1 due to an ankle injury and in Week 5 due to a shoulder injury. He has played just nine defensive snaps this season, recording no official statistics. In 2024, he played one game for Kansas City, recording four tackles and one tackle for loss. How much he'll play in Week 8 remains to be seen. Given Steve Spagnuolo's recent comments, I wouldn't expect an outsized portion of snaps for Tuipulotu this week unless the team faces another in-game injury.

It's worth noting that this is the last standard elevation allotted to Tuipulotu until the postseason, when practice squad elevations reset. If the Chiefs want him up next week, they'll have to sign him to the 53-man roster. The team has two more defensive tackles on the practice squad, Brodric Martin and Zacch Pickens. The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 4.