In an effort to bolster their defensive tackle depth following the season-ending knee injury to rookie Omarr Norman-Lott in Week 7, the Kansas City Chiefs brought back a familiar face, signing veteran defensive lineman Mike Pennel.
The 34-year-old Pennel, who spent the previous two-plus seasons in Kansas City, joined the Cincinnati Bengals at the beginning of September after getting cut by the Chiefs to close the preseason. Pennel appeared in eight games this season with the Bengals before they parted ways with him on Oct. 28.
Kansas City got Pennel back on the field in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills. The veteran defensive lineman played well in 20 snaps, recording three combined tackles. He also earned good grades in his return to the club, per Pro Football Focus.
- Overall defense: 83.3
- Run defense: 80.2
- Tackling: 70.2
- Pass rush: 57.1
However, in Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, Pennel’s play took a huge step back, as it appeared he was out there doing cardio. The veteran defensive lineman did not register a single tackle and posted poor PFF grades, which just illustrated how poorly he played in a must-win game.
Chiefs DT Mike Pennel Has Disastrous Performance vs. Broncos
- Overall defense: 39.4
- Run defense: 42.3
- Pass rushing: 55.1
When you compare Pennel’s grades to the rest of the team, it leaves much to be desired, and you wonder if he can bounce back against one of the best teams in the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts.
Pennel was the lowest-graded defender on Kansas City and had the worst run defense grade. What is one thing that we know the Colts know how to do well? Run the football. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is playing at an MVP level, rushing for 1,139 yards and 15 touchdowns on 189 carries.
In Sunday’s game against Denver, Kansas City actually did a great job against the run, holding the Broncos’ ground game to 59 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
However, as we know, the duo of RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin is nowhere near the caliber of Taylor. The Chiefs, and specifically Pennel, will have their hands full on Sunday afternoon. And if Pennel can’t improve from this ugly performance, then Kansas City might have to think about making a change.
What is that change at this point of the season? It's tough to say, Kansas City won’t find a quick fix in free agency. Therefore, the Chiefs’ next best option could be to give more snaps to Marlon Tuipulotu or Zacch Pickens, both of whom are on the practice squad.