KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Defensive tackle Justin Hamilton will not make his Chiefs debut on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, but his addition to the team’s roster provides much needed depth at defensive tackle as the team heads into the season’s final stretch.
Defensive tackle Justin Hamilton signed with the Chiefs on Dec. 7, 2017. (Photo courtesy Eagles PR, PhiladelphiaEagles.com)
The club signed Hamilton off the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles. He played 44 defensive snaps over three games with the Eagles, collecting two tackles and a half sack with a quarterback hurry.
“It went pretty good for me,” Hamilton said of his time in Philadelphia. “I wish I could have got to say up a little longer but I didn’t. I was thankful for the opportunity and I feel like I took advantage of it. I guess I put out good enough film to land me here.”
The Chiefs have need for additional depth at defensive tackle behind starter Bennie Logan. The team released veteran Roy Miller last month after his arrest in an alleged domestic battery incident in Florida. The team briefly re-signed veteran Cam Thomas but released him upon signing free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis.
The Chiefs often rotate their defensive line, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches can fill in at tackle as well as end. Former Missouri Tigers defensive tackle Rickey Hatley remains on the team’s practice squad. Hamilton says he feels ready to pitch in quickly.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Hamilton said. “Ready to help this team if I can in anyway possible. This team is a really good team, good group of guys. I’m just getting to learn the place, learn the facility and try to get adjusted to the city.”
The 6-foot-2-inch, 315-pound Hamilton took a circuitous route through the NFL since entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Louisiana in 2015. He initially signed with the Buffalo Bills and spent training camp with the team before his release after the preseason. He spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons bouncing on and off the practice squads for Green Bay and Seattle. He played with current Chiefs teammates Kevin Pierre-Louis and Steven Terrell with the Seahawks and also worked out in the offseason with Logan.
He signed with the Eagles in January and finally saw his first playing time. Hamilton brings a reputation for strength with a high-end motor along the defense live. He feels his skills fit in will with the Chiefs’ energetic line group.
“Just playing ball,” Hamilton said about what he brings to Kansas City. “Just going out there, bringing energy and give it my all every play.”
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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