Following their first regular-season loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Kansas City Chiefs made a move to strengthen their roster. On Monday, the team signed former New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton to their practice squad. Thornton, who was waived by the Patriots last week, has struggled to make an impact this season, seeing limited playing time before his release.
The Chiefs are hoping to revive Thornton’s career, which has yet to live up to expectations after he was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Baylor standout joins a high-powered offense in Kansas City, which has won back-to-back Super Bowls. To make room for Thornton, the Chiefs had to part ways with one of their own recent draft picks.
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As reported by Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com, the Chiefs released wide receiver Cornell Powell from their practice squad to accommodate Thornton. Powell, a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, had a solid college career at Clemson, including a strong 2020 season in which he posted 53 receptions for 882 yards and seven touchdowns. However, Powell has struggled to translate that success into the NFL.
Powell appeared in three games for the Chiefs during the 2022 season but was waived ahead of the 53-man roster cutdowns in late August. He was re-signed to the practice squad in October but has since been let go to make space for Thornton. The release marks another setback in Powell’s professional career, though it remains to be seen if he will receive another opportunity elsewhere.
The Chiefs’ decision to sign Thornton is a bid to bolster their receiving corps and potentially unlock his potential. Whether Powell will find a new home or return to Kansas City will depend on how the remainder of his career unfolds.
