Aug. 18, 2015; St. Joseph, MO; Chiefs offensive lineman Jarrod Pughsley (60), holds off linebacker Justin Houston (50) to give quarterback Alex Smith time to throw during a training camp drill at Missouri Western State University. (Emily DeShazer/The Capital-Journal)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Chiefs offensive lineman Jarrod Pughsley was all smiles in the locker room Wednesday, a day after being elevated from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster.
Pughlsey couldn’t contain his excitement when he received word of the move on Tuesday and the first person he called was his mother.
But it came with a little prank.
“I’m a mama’s boy, so I called my mom,” Pughsley said. “I actually joked with her; I don’t think she was too happy about it. I told her my practice-squad contract had been taken away and she was all upset, and I was like because they’re moving me up to the 53.”
So how did his mother take it?
“I won’t be making jokes like that anymore,” Pughsley said with a laugh.
Jokes aside, Pughsely is overjoyed for the opportunity and grateful the Chiefs maintained faith in him.
“I’m glad this organization has looked out for me and given me a chance to really develop,” Pughsley said. “I just hope that when I get on the field and I know when I get on the field I can show what I can do.”
The Chiefs have a good indication what the 6-4, 310-pound Pughsley can accomplish after watching him grow on the practice squad since the latter part of the 2014 season.
Pughsley, who originally entered the league in May 2014 as an undrafted free agent out of Akron with the Dallas Cowboys, emerged in training camp this past summer and even earned first-team repetitions at right tackle.
He had a legitimate chance to make the initial 53-man roster before being waived on the final roster cuts. The Chiefs immediately signed him to the practice squad where he continued to develop.
Pughsley has versatility to play inside or outside on the offensive line, and he said most of the repetitions he has received this season in practice came at the guard position.
But it doesn’t matter where he lines up as long as he can contribute.
“I’m ready to go – both guard and tackle – whichever one,” Pughsley said. “I wouldn’t say there’s a preference. I’ve been more comfortable at guard throughout the season during practice, but I’m always ready to go.”
And that versatility is what the Chiefs covet and can utilize if needed when considering the rash of injuries along the front five in recent weeks.
“He plays both guard and tackle, steadily improved throughout camp and now during the season,” coach Andy Reid said. “We feel that he can come in and add to the depth there for us.”
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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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