Getty Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced two roster moves ahead of their Week 4 battle with the Baltimore Ravens, and both bits of transaction news were practice squad elevations.

“We have activated practice squad players CB Kevin Knowles and DT Brodric Martin via Standard Elevation,” the Chiefs’ social media team revealed on Saturday, September 27.

This will be the third straight gameday elevation for Knowles, who is an undrafted rookie who caught the Chiefs’ eye on special teams. Knowles has already racked up 4 total tackles over 21 special teams snaps.

The second elevation will be a Kansas City debut, as Martin gets his first opportunity.

Chiefs Will Give Signing Brodric Martin a Look in Week 4 vs. the Ravens

The Chiefs signed Martin to the practice squad following the 53-man roster cutdown. He’s a former third-round pick of the Detroit Lions, and another big 6-foot-5 body at defensive tackle.

Perhaps, the plan is to add more beef on the D-line with Derrick Henry lining up on the other side of the trenches. The Ravens are known for their power rushing attack, and Martin is a player who can hold his own on the interior.

With the Lions, Martin appeared in 5 games total, starting 1 of them. He accumulated 4 total tackles over 53 defensive snaps.

The Chiefs are expected to be down a body or two on the defensive line after the Mike Danna and Ashton Gillotte news on Friday night. Danna is now “doubtful,” while Gillotte is “questionable.”

Although both of these players are defensive ends, Kansas City could always use Chris Jones on the outside versus Baltimore, clogging up the middle with run stuffers like Martin, Derrick Nnadi and more.

In other words, a “bigger” front four that can help bottle up Henry.

Of course, with that plan would come a natural sacrifice of athleticism and speed. That could be dangerous with Lamar Jackson at quarterback.

Chiefs Use Up Kevin Knowles’ Final Practice Squad Elevation

Knowles has quickly become a popular promotion for the KC coaching staff in 2025. The undrafted cornerback played a lot of nickel this spring and summer, but he’s really become a core special teamer for coordinator Dave Toub.

Unfortunately, Week 4 will be Knowles’ final practice squad eligible game, as the Chiefs have already called upon him the maximum three times during the regular season.

That means if Kansas City wants to continue to utilize Knowles on special teams, they’ll have to sign him to the 53-man roster. Otherwise, it will be the last Chiefs fans see of the youngster for some time.

According to Pro Football Focus, Knowles has logged snaps on kick return coverage, punt return coverage, field goal block, and 1 lone snap on punt return. He’s earned solid special teams grades of 68.0 and 66.2 so far.

Along with his special teams impact, Knowles provides cornerback depth in case Kristian Fulton doesn’t suit up again in Week 4. Fulton has been dealing with an ankle injury, and he’s officially “questionable” to play against the Ravens.

The Chiefs have not needed to deploy Knowles on defense during his first three practice squad elevations, but you never know what injuries may pop up mid-game. For that reason, Knowles’ promotion will once again serve two purposes for the price of one.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller

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