By Jeremy
Sunday night in Seattle was already a notable trip for Kenneth Walker III. Now the Chiefs’ backfield has another storyline: Brashard Smith’s hamstring injury has landed him on injured reserve, and Kansas City has promoted Jaydn Ott from the practice squad. Walker remains the lead back, but the real question for Chiefs fans is whether Ott can capitalize on the opportunities that come his way.
A roster opening, not a ready-made role
Smith’s absence creates an opportunity, but it doesn’t guarantee Ott a steady workload. The Chiefs’ transaction log confirms that Ott signed to the active roster Saturday, while Smith went on injured reserve. According to A to Z Sports, coach Andy Reid has identified Ott as Smith’s replacement. That indicates Ott will be available for more than a one-week practice-squad elevation, but it doesn’t reveal how many touches he’ll get against the Seahawks.
Walker should still set the pace. For Ott, the first task may be earning trust in the less glamorous parts of the job: knowing his assignments, protecting Patrick Mahomes when called upon, and potentially contributing on special teams. While a standout run will certainly catch attention, a missed protection in a close game can erase goodwill in the blink of an eye.
Why Ott is worth watching
There’s a reason to keep an eye on Ott. In its breakdown of Kansas City’s undrafted free agents, the team noted that Ott rushed for 2,587 yards and 24 touchdowns over three seasons at California. The same Chiefs profile described an injury-disrupted final college season at Oklahoma, where he played for running backs coach DeMarco Murray. Murray’s presence in Kansas City offers Ott a familiar coach as he makes the transition to the NFL, though familiarity alone can’t replace game experience.
What’s particularly interesting is Ott’s potential as a returner. In college, he showcased his kick-returning abilities, amassing impressive stats that highlight his speed and agility. If he gets a shot at returning kicks, it could add another layer to his contributions on special teams, allowing him to make an impact beyond just the running back role. He showed flashes of his receiving ability in the preseason as well, catching two passes for 40 yards against the Rams, including a 27-yard gain. That’s a small sample against preseason competition, but it sets a reasonable expectation for his involvement in the passing game.
Keep the expectations grounded
The Chiefs don’t need Ott to take over Sunday night; they need dependable depth behind Walker while Smith is sidelined. If Ott can handle his assignments and turn an occasional opportunity into a useful gain, that would be a productive first step. Even if his initial impact is primarily on special teams, that still matters.
For Chiefs fans, the intrigue lies in whether a promising practice-squad player can transform an unfortunate opening into a legitimate role. The answers likely won’t come in just one game. But under the Sunday night lights in Seattle, Ott gets his first chance to start making the case for his place on this team.