December 2015; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs offensive lineman Jarrod Pughsley (60) during practice at the team’s training facility. Photo used with permission from Chiefs PR. (Credit: KCChiefs.com)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2015 season provided a series of career firsts for Chiefs offensive lineman Jarrod Pughsley.
He was elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Dec. 8, marking the first time on an active roster since he entered the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Akron with the Dallas Cowboys.
Less than two weeks later against the Baltimore Ravens, Pughsley experienced his first live regular-season action when he logged five snaps at left guard on the Chiefs’ final possession in the 34-14 win.
The 6-4, 310-pound offensive lineman savored the moment.
“It was sweet,” Pughsley said with a wide smile. “Got some end-of-the-game reps, it was just a great experience. I was cheesing when I came off.”
He wasn’t the only one thrilled for the opportunity.
“Everybody was really happy for me,” Pughsley said. “Everybody was like, ‘Oh, Pugs is coming in? All right, Pugs, congrats!’ It was a great win, obviously, and afterwards some of the coaches that were up in the box came down and were congratulating everybody and they congratulated me for going in.”
Pughsley dressed for a second straight game because Jeff Allen was inactive with an ankle injury, and the Chiefs needed depth on the offensive line.
And while Pughlsey’s five snaps offered a small sample size, the repetitions provided an opportunity for evaluation.
“It was good to see him in there,” offensive coordinator Doug Pederson said. “It’s different practice speed, game speed, so early on it was a little bit rough.
“He just needs to learn to bring his feet a little bit more, but I think he’s a guy we’ll continue to develop and grow, and help us down the stretch because we’re going to need all those guys.”
Pughsley agreed with his offensive coordinator’s assessment.
“I did well on the majority of plays,” he said. “The first one I stepped under myself, but things I can clean up.”
The work isn’t finished for Pughsley, who will continue to develop and provide much-needed depth on the offensive line as the Chiefs chase a postseason berth.
But he now has a taste of live action and won’t forget the opportunity anytime soon.
“It’s a big accomplishment,” Pughsley said. “Obviously, there’s a lot more things to accomplish, but just getting on that field in the regular season is a first step to me.”
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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