KC Chiefs Elevate Mike Pennel, Keith Taylor Before Wild Card Game vs. Dolphins

Kansas City is bringing up some reinforcements ahead of kickoff on Saturday against Miami in the Wild Card round.

The Kansas City Chiefs are just hours away from kicking off their Wild Card Weekend outing against the Miami Dolphins. In an effort to stay prepared for Saturday's game, the team is making some moves along the fringes of the roster for game day.

Per a Saturday afternoon announcement from the team on X (formerly Twitter), Kansas City is activating nose tackle Mike Pennel and cornerback Keith Taylor from the practice squad via Standard Elevation. 

We have activated Practice Squad players NT Mike Pennel and CB Keith Taylor via Standard Elevation. pic.twitter.com/EDkqtjdVMY

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 13, 2024

Pennel, who has experience playing on the interior of Steve Spagnuolo's defensive line, played in three games during the regular season. Logging a combined 45 snaps in those outings, the 32-year-old recorded four total tackles with one being for loss. The veteran lineman signed with the Chiefs' practice squad back in October. Throughout his career, Pennel has played with five teams and made 206 tackles. He also has 15 quarterback hits and a pair of sacks on his resume. Pennel is mostly recognized for his previous stint with the team:

Many remember Pennel for his contributions during the Chiefs' 2019-20 championship run, as he arrived in October of that season and played a contributing role along Steve Spagnuolo's defensive line. He then played 13, 24 and 15 snaps in three playoff games, recording a tackle and a pass broken up in Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers. The following year, even after being suspended for two games to open the season, he remained active during the regular season and logged a combined 49 postseason snaps. Eighteen of those came in a Super Bowl LV loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Taylor, a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, signed with the Chiefs' practice squad in late August. The 25-year-old hasn't played in a game this season but saw significant defensive snaps in his first two years in the league. In 2021 and 2022 with the Carolina Panthers, Taylor recorded 67 tackles with three passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. The former Washington standout is a 6-foot-2 defensive back with some special teams experience. 

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