Chiefs surprisingly sign a local player after serious injury in preseason

The Kansas City Chiefs had to deal with an injury on the special teams team in Saturday's game against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs' starting long snapper, James Winchester, had to leave the game with a shoulder injury.

With Winchester no longer responsible for long snapping duties, the Chiefs turned to backup tight end Noah Gray, who had never snapped before. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Gray was coached on the sidelines and did a good job.

Kansas City, however, doesn't want to be in a similar situation heading into its final preseason game on Thursday night. On Monday, Arrowhead Pride's Pete Sweeney reported that the Chiefs have signed former Kansas State star Randen Plattner to play snapper.

To make room for Plattner in the 90-man roster, the Chiefs waived injured offensive lineman McKade Mettauer.

It's cool to see the Chiefs give the former Kansas State player and Parkville, Missouri, native a snap in the final game of the preseason. Plattner likely won't make the Chiefs' 53-man roster or practice squad. But he can get some snaps and drills in on Thursday for another chance at the NFL or professional football.

The 6-foot-3 long snapper played 62 games for Kansas St. during his career (second-most in school history) and was a semifinalist for the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper of the Year award last season.

After his college career at Kansas State University ended, Plattner was invited to the 2024 Hula Bowl. Plattner went undrafted but signed with the Baltimore Ravens in May, but was released by the team on August 11.

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