The Kansas City Chiefs signed defensive back Melvin Smith Jr. to their practice squad after defeating the Denver Broncos on 'Monday Night Football' in Week 1.
Smith, a former Southern Arkansas Mulerider, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs last year and competed for a spot on the Chiefs' 53-man roster in the 2026 preseason.
A casualty of Kansas City's roster cuts, Smith was waived by the Chiefs on August 30 before the Tennessee Titans claimed him a day later.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson broke the news of Smith's reunification with Kansas City in a post to his official Twitter account:
#Chiefs update: Re-signing former undrafted free agent corner Melvin Smith Jr.,(6-1, 185, 4.39 speed) to practice squad, per league source. With
Kansas City last season until waived and claimed by #Titans now former Southern Arkansas Division II All-American back with Chiefs pic.twitter.com/jq3WQwmDl6
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 15, 2026
Given that the Chiefs are already dealing with injuries in their defensive backfield — namely to rookie Mansoor Delane and veteran Chamarri Conner — fans in Western Missouri should expect Smith to contend for elevation from Kansas City's practice squad at some point during the team's 2026 regular-season campaign.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs reunite with exciting DB prospect after Week 1 win vs. Broncos
