Kansas City Chiefs Bring Back Jack Pyburn After Promoting Marcus Harris

Kansas City Chiefs players gather on the field ahead of their NFL matchup.© X/@Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs needed more players on their defensive line as injuries began to affect their options ahead of Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. But they didn't look outside the organization, Kansas City turned to two familiar names. Marcus Harris earned a place on the active roster after making the most of his opportunities during the season, while Jack Pyburn returned to the practice squad just days after the team waived him to accommodate its latest trade. The two moves addressed different needs for the Chiefs.

Kansas City Chiefs promote Marcus Harris and bring back Jack Pyburn

Harris had already used up his three permitted practice squad elevations this season, leaving the Chiefs with little choice but to make his promotion permanent if they wanted him available for another game. The defensive tackle had appeared in three games for Kansas City in 2026 and recorded one tackle.

His preseason performances had given the coaching staff a reason to keep him around. Harris played 90 defensive snaps, the most among Kansas City defenders during the preseason, and finished with eight tackles and one pass defensed.

He had an especially strong showing in the third preseason game, recording six tackles and three tackles for loss against the Seattle Seahawks.

That performance helped him get a place on the Chiefs' initial 53-man roster before a later roster shuffle sent him to the practice squad. His latest promotion gave Kansas City another option in the middle of the defensive line.

The move came after the Chiefs traded for wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City had waived both Pyburn and kick returner Nikko Remigio to make room for the new addition. Remigio has since joined an AFC rival, but Pyburn found his way back to Kansas City.

Defensive line injuries leave Chiefs short on options

Pyburn's return came at a time when Kansas City needed more depth across its defensive front. Peter Woods was expected to miss his second consecutive game with a neck injury, while second-year defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott continued working his way back from a knee injury.

Without Harris, the Chiefs would have had only three eligible interior defensive linemen available. That would have left defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with limited options for rotating players throughout the game.

Pyburn had given the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a reason to consider him during the preseason after recording four sacks in three games. The former LSU player went undrafted in 2026, but his performances helped put him on Kansas City's radar. He has yet to appear in a regular-season game for the Chiefs.

His return gives the coaching staff another young defender to develop alongside the practice squad group.