KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Cornerback Steven Nelson departed the Chiefs for a free agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the club could be closing in on his replacement with Philadelphia Eagles corner Ronald Darby.
Darby planned to visit Kansas City Wednesday night, a source confirmed to Chiefs Digest. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport initially reported the visit.
The Chiefs appeared to have zeroed in on Darby as a potential replacement for Nelson early on in the free agent process. The visit could prove key, since Darby is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee that ended his season in Week 10.
Injuries have limited Darby to just 17 games during the past two seasons in Philadelphia. He missed eight games in 2017 with a dislocated ankle, but returned to play a key role in the team's 2017 Super Bowl championship run, picking up 16 tackles and breaking up six passes in three postseason games.
The Buffalo Bills selected Darby from Florida State in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft, making him the 50th selection. He started 29 games for the Bills, tallying 137 combined tackles with two interceptions and 33 passes broken up.
The Eagles received Darby via trade in August 2017, sending slot receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 third-round selection in return.
General manager Brett Veach said the Chiefs intended to make a push in the offseason for help at cornerback, and the club appears ready to consider other options.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reported the team schedule a visit with Los Angeles Chargers corner Jason Verrett, who reportedly plans to visit San Francisco first. Verrett has his own troubled injury history, playing just 25 games over five season with the Chargers with a variety of injuries, including a torn Achilles tendon that cost him his entire 2018 season.
