In Week 1, the Kansas City Chiefs used a practice-squad elevation to add fullback Ben VanSumeren to the active roster for their 31-10 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday night. After being signed to the practice squad following cutdown day, VanSumeren played 79% of the team’s special teams snaps and saw the field on offense for three plays.
On Wednesday, Kansas City signed him to the active roster after linebacker Cooper McDonald was placed on the Reserve/Injured list; he will miss a minimum of
four games.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub described VanSumeren during his press conference, building excitement for the return of the fullback.
“The good thing about him is that he is a linebacker, really,” Toub told reporters. “He has a linebacker history in a fullback body. But he’s a fast guy; he runs in the [4.4-second range.] He’s a big guy, so he can really help you on special teams. That’s why we elevated him last week, and it’s why he is now on the 53.”
As a linebacker prospect out of Michigan State in the 2023 NFL Draft class, VanSumeren was measured 6 feet 2 inches tall and 231 pounds at his Pro Day. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds with a 1.52-second 10-yard split. He had a 42-1/2 inch vertical leap and a 10-foot 11-inch broad jump.
“He’s going to be a four-phase guy for us going forward,” Toub revealed. “I’m excited about that. Andy’s excited about having a fullback again, too. All of those things are helpful for our football team.”
“He was a special teams guy before at both places, and a lot of the stuff is interchangeable,” Toub elaborated. “He just has to learn our terminology, but we catch him up really quick with a lot of reps.”
Look for No. 47 on offense and special teams in Week 2; the more he — or defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga — is on the field with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the more it represents the team’s turn to physicality this season.
