The Kansas City Chiefs have officially filled their vacant spot on the practice squad.
The team had an open spot heading into Week 17 following the release of RB/WR Jerrion Ealy from the practice squad. The team brought in five players for tryouts on Tuesday, but it was pretty clear that they were looking to add a linebacker. They had Elijah Lee signed away by the Bears just last week and were short on numbers there in terms of the practice squad.
As a result of the tryouts, the team signed LB Justin Hilliard to the practice squad. A former five-star recruit out of high school, Hilliard appeared in 47 games over five seasons with the Buckeyes. He went undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft and his career in the NFL to this point hasn’t amounted to much.
He was signed by the 49ers following the 2021 NFL draft, but he was waived during 53-man roster cuts. He was claimed by the New York Giants, but he appeared in just two games in 2021 before he was placed on injured reserve. Hilliard was suspended for the first two games of the 2022 regular season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances and was waived by New York during the offseason.
Hilliard, listed at 6-1 and 230 pounds, figures in as weakside linebacker depth for Kansas City. He could play a role on special teams as well.
Hilliard will wear jersey No. 42 with the Chiefs.
