Monday night could finally bring answers on forgotten Chiefs signings

Those closest to Kristian Fulton say he's doing all he's asked to do. Kansas City Chiefs fans should assume the same of Elijah Mitchell. This would be a good week for those endeavors to pay off.

The Chiefs are preparing to host the Washington Commanders in Week 8, a primetime showing on Monday Night Football at Arrowhead Stadium. Coming into the game, the Chiefs have only player officially out, rookie left tackle Josh Simmons, and another listed as doubtful, right guard Trey Smith. But there are other injuries that could merit some attention.

Both cornerback Jaylen Watson and running back Kareem Hunt were limited in practice this week. The Chiefs are going forward with both players on Monday, despite the mid-week concerns.

Watson has been dealing with back concerns, but he was back to full practice on Friday after being limited in the first practice before facing the Commanders. For Hunt, a bone bruise in his knee as well as an ankle concern plagued him at a deeper level. The veteran back sat out Thursday before being eased back into practice on Friday.

The Chiefs could give some forgotten signings the chance to show what they can do, if they're up for resting ailing vets.

The Chiefs have a healthy Kristian Fulton sitting on the sidelines during game days, despite signing him to a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency that conferred upon him "assumed starter" status. Fulton's injury concerns in the preseason and regular season allowed Nohl Williams to pass him on the depth chart, and he's been lost in the mix despite a resume as a long-term starter in the NFL with the Titans and Chargers.

If the Chiefs want to ease the load on Watson this week, even for a series or two, they could make Fulton an active player on Monday and give themselves the luxury of lessening his load in Week 8.

The same can be done with Hunt, who is a battering ram on offense utilized to convert one short-yardage situation after another. Given that Hunt's injuries were more serious, or limiting, than Watson's, it might make sense for the Chiefs to give themselves a bit more depth on Sunday in the form of Mitchell.

The Chiefs signed Mitchell, who was formerly with the San Francisco 49ers, to a one-year contract in free agency, but the fifth-year back has been sitting as a healthy scratch every week so far this season. The Chiefs have gone with Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, and rookie Brashard Smith as their only active RBs this year.

Mitchell joined the Chiefs as a bit of a flyer after three seasons ruined by injuries, but the Chiefs were hoping he'd bring the same spark he had when setting rookie franchise rushing records in San Francisco. He showed enough in the preseason to land a spot on the active roster, but he's yet to register a single snap in the NFL since 2023. If the Chiefs wanted they could give him a bit of runway to see if he can fly with Hunt hurting this week.

While the Chiefs never want to move forward without their best players, it can sometimes prove advantageous to rest a player from time to time, which is why it's worth noting that K.C. could give a couple of players like Watson and Hunt a bit of rest before going into a short week. The Chiefs visit Buffalo for a showdown against the Bills in just six days, and that's a game in which all hands will be needed on deck. At least one or two could have been a bit more rested.