KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs added depth at wide receiver for Monday night's showdown at the Los Angeles Rams, signing Gehrig Dieter from the team's practice squad.
The addition of Dieter to the active roster raises doubts regarding starting receiver Sammy Watkins and his availability against the Rams. Watkins tested his injured right foot during practice on Thursday, but did not work out on the field Friday or Saturday. The Chiefs listed him as questionable for Monday night's game.
Dieter joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2017 from Alabama. He spent last season on the club's practice squad, and returned to the squad this season after a strong offseason that saw him battling for a roster spot in training camp.
In eight preseason games during the last two seasons, Gehrig picked up 10 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. He showed strong chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes during training camp the past two seasons, and the duo worked together last year on the scout team.
If Watkins can't play, the Chiefs plan to use Demarcus Robinson as the No. 3 receiver behind starters Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley. Marcus Kemp would play the No. 4 role. Kemp practiced in full this week, but appears on the team's injury report with a shoulder issue.
The Chiefs cleared space for Dieter's promotion on Saturday by waiving safety Josh Shaw. The club filled Gehrig's spot on the practice squad with the signing of cornerback Josh Hawkins.
The former East Carolina defensive back signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He played in 26 games including three starts the past two seasons with the Packers. He collected 42 tackles along with seven passes broken up and a forced fumble.
The Packers waived Hawkins following this year's preseason, signing shortly afterward with the Carolina Panthers. He appeared in five games for the Panthers this season, mostly on special teams.
