KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs moved quickly following injuries to defensive tackles Chris Jones and Xavier Williams and offensive guard Andrew Wylie, agreeing to contracts with two veteran free agents offensive linemen Stefen Wisniewski and defensive tackle Terrell McClain.
Wisniewski won a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2017 season. He spent the first four years of his career with the Oakland Raiders, where he was a second-round selection in the 2011 draft from Penn State. He spent most of his time at center with the Raiders before playing primarily at guard the last three seasons with the Eagles.
The 6-3, 305-pound Wisniewski missed just five games during the first eight seasons of his career. He lost his starting job last season with the Eagles to Isaac Seumalo, but finished the season as a starter He re-signed with the Eagles during the offseason, but the club released the 30-year-old linemen during the cut down to the initial 53-man roster.
The 31-year-old McCain brings eight years experience with six different clubs to Kansas City. He spent the 2018 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons, playing 13 games with five starts while collecting 17 total tackles with one sack. McClain joined the Arizona Cardinals during the offseason, but the club released him ahead of their fourth preseason game.
The Chiefs need reinforcements with injuries plaguing the defensive line. Jones expects to miss a few games with a groin injury suffered in Sunday night's loss to the Colts, while Xavier Williams will likely miss extensive time with a high ankle sprain.
Defensive end Alex Okafor did not play against the Colts due to a hip injury. That leaves the Chiefs with just five defensive linemen.
McClain played 87 games with 34 starts since his selection by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2011 draft from South Florida. His best productivity came in 2016 with the Dallas Cowboys when he collected career-bests 39 total tackles and 2 1/2 sacks. McClain historically grades out better as a run defender than a pass rusher, according to Pro Football Focus, and can play both inside and outside in the 4-3 defense.
He has multiple former teammates on the Chiefs, including playing on the same defense in Dallas with linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson. McClain spent the 2017 season with Washington where cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Bashaud Breeland were teammates.
The Chiefs cleared one roster spot for the pair on Tuesday afternoon, waiving offensive lineman Ryan Hunter. He joined the Chiefs last season as an undrafted free agent from Bowling Green, and spent the 2018 season on the practice squad before earning a spot on the active roster starting this season. He played 14 snaps against the Colts, filling in at left guard for Andrew Wylie when he left with a sprained ankle.
