ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Chiefs signed a pair of free agents Tuesday, deepening the bench at linebacker and cornerback, as the club returned to Missouri Western State University for the final three days of training camp ahead of Satuurday’s preseason game at Arizona.
The new additions are linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi and cornerback Duron Lowe. Kansas City made room for the signings on the 90-player roster by placing tight end Jody Fortson on injured reserve and waiving cornerback Anthony Witherstone with an injury designation.
Fortson suffered a dislocated shoulder July 28 and will undergo surgery to repair the damage, head coach Andy Reid said Tuesday. Witherstone suffered a sprained to during Sunday’s game at New Orleans. If Witherstone clears waivers, he will return to the Chiefs on injured reserve.
Fatukasi entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Rutgers, playing 13 games with Tampa Bay in 2022. He also spent time with Denver’s practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract with New England in January. The Patriots placed him on waivers Aug. 12.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Fatukasi played primarily on special teams for the Buccaneers last season, tallying six total tackles in 144 teams snaps.
Fatukasi is the younger brother of Folorunso Fatukasi, who was a sixth-round selection for the New York Jets in 2018 and is now with Jacksonville. He was a teammate of running back Isiah Pacheco for four seasons with the Scarlet Knights.
Lowe, a native of Overland Park, Kansas, entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Liberty. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Lowe signed with the Los Angeles Rams following the 2022 NFL Draft. In three preseason games, he played 70 defensive snaps and 17 special teams snaps while collecting eight combined tackles and a pass defended while also forcing a fumble on a punt return recovered for a touchdown.
The team waived Lowe during the reduction to 53 players opening the season, and he did not play during the 2022 campaign. He signed with the Tampa Bay practice squad in January and agreed to reserve/future contract with the club later that month. He was waived by the Buccaneers Aug. 12.
Fatukasi was assigned No. 55 by the Chiefs while Lowe was given No. 42.
