So far, the Kansas City Chiefs' season feels like a long, tense baseball game stuck in the seventh-inning stretch. You keep waiting for that big hit that never comes. The defense, a unit with shiny new parts, has been performing well. But there’s been one piece sitting in the garage. A high-performance model waiting for its first real drive. And everyone’s been asking, 'When is he finally going to show up?'
Well, start your engines. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, that piece finally roared to life. Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star shared the news that everyone had been waiting for. He stated, "Everybody for the Chiefs was a full participant, which early here, indicates the probable returns of both CB Kristian Fulton and DT Omarr Norman-Lott Sunday night." This is the green flag that Fulton and the Chiefs' secondary desperately needed.
Fulton’s arrival in Kansas City was meant to be a major upgrade. He signed a two-year, $20 million deal this offseason. The expectation was for him to lock down the boundary opposite Trent McDuffie. Instead, an ankle injury suffered in Week 2 has forced him to be a spectator for the last three games. Meanwhile, the Chiefs' pass defense has had to rely heavily on promising but inexperienced players, like rookie Nohl Williams.
Kristian's absence was felt acutely in the Week 5 loss to Jacksonville. Trevor Lawrence’s final, game-winning drive exposed the kind of vulnerability a veteran like Fulton is paid to eliminate. Kansas City's defense was decent. But it missed that final, closing play. And now Fulton’s return is about adding a proven, starting-caliber cornerback for the crucial moments.
Chiefs' Secondary Reaching Full Strength
The timing of this boost could not be better. The Detroit Lions roll into town for Sunday Night Football, boasting one of the league's most explosive offenses. They average 365.0 yards per game. Their star receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, is off to a blazing start. However, the Lions' secondary is dealing with significant injuries.
Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, two of their starting safeties, either missed or were limited at practice on Wednesday. This creates a prime opportunity for a Chiefs' offensive breakout. But that will be possible only if their own defense can hold up its end of the bargain.
Fulton’s integration will be fascinating to watch. Head coach Andy Reid had been cautiously optimistic about his progress during training camp. Back on Sept. 10, Reid noted, via Chiefs Wire, "He's been working in and working out, which is a good thing... he gets better every day, so (he's) more comfortable every day." Now, after a week of practice, that comfort level should be at its peak.
So, what does this truly mean for Kansas City?
It means Steve Spagnuolo’s defense finally gets its intended starting lineup. Fulton’s presence allows Nohl Williams to slide into a more suitable role, providing quality depth. This creates a domino effect, strengthening the entire unit.
For a team sitting at 2-3, every game feels like a playoff elimination game. The narrative on Fulton is shifting from 'expensive question mark' to 'potential season-altering return.' His ability to step in and immediately challenge Jared Goff’s receivers will be pivotal. It’s about a Super Bowl-caliber team finding its final, missing piece. As the old saying goes, the best ability is availability. Now, Fulton has a chance to prove his worth. After all, the comeback is always stronger than the setback.