Aug 28, 2014; Green Bay, WI; Chiefs defensive back DeMarcus Van Dyke (40) defends against Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) at Lambeau Field. Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs could be in the market to bolster defensive secondary depth, and with a familiar name.
The Chiefs on Wednesday worked out cornerback DeMarcus Van Dyke, according to a source.
The 6-1, 185-pound Van Dyke spent the offseason, organized team activities (OTAs), minicamp, training camp and preseason with the Chiefs before being placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain injury following the final preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
The Chiefs and Van Dyke reached an injury settlement on Sept. 8, which made Van Dyke eligible to sign a free-agent contract with another team. Van Dyke previously worked out for the Minnesota Vikings, but left without a signing a contract.
Meanwhile, because Van Dyke’s injury settlement came with the Chiefs, Kansas City can’t sign him until the duration of the agreed upon injury settlement expires, in this case six games, according to a source.
The Chiefs, should the team choose, can sign Van Dyke on Monday, Dec. 1.
The 25-year-old Van Dyke, who possesses 4.28 40-yard dash speed, originally entered the league in 2011 out of Miami as a third-round pick of the Oakland Raiders. He then spent two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers before signing a reserve/future deal with the Chiefs in January 2014.
He appeared in the Chiefs’ four preseason games, totaling four tackles (three solo), three passes defensed, a forced fumble and one special teams tackle.
Kansas City currently has cornerbacks Sean Smith, rookie Phillip Gaines, Marcus Cooper, Jamell Fleming and Chris Owens on the roster. Fleming has missed four straight games with a hamstring injury, while Owens missed two straight games with a knee injury.
The Chiefs wouldn’t confirm the Van Dyke workout, but the team doesn’t normally comment on individual workout sessions.
