The Chiefs’ defense has seen a few key players return to full strength in recent weeks, and the unit stands to soon have another key supporting-caster back. Xavier Williams returned to practice Wednesday, classifying him as an IR-DTR player.
After suffering a high ankle sprain, the fifth-year defensive tackle has been on IR since the days leading up to the Chiefs’ Week 7 game. He will not be able to return to game action until Week 16. The Chiefs have three weeks from Wednesday to activate Williams or place him on IR.
A Kansas City, Mo., native, Williams joined his hometown team in 2018 via RFA offer sheet. The former UDFA spent his first three seasons with the Cardinals. He started four games last season and played in all 16 regular-season games and both of Kansas City’s playoff contests.
The Chiefs have dealt with injuries to Williams, Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Emmanuel Ogbah and Alex Okafor this season. Jones, Ogbah and Okafor have returned to action. Kansas City has used second-year player Derrick Nnadi as its starting nose tackle for most of the past two years, so a Williams return will be a depth-based bonus for the AFC West leaders.
Emmanuel Ogbah did not return for the Chiefs, he’s out for the season with a torn pectoral.