The Chiefs are acquiring left tackle Diego Pounds from the Baltimore Ravens, our Jeff Zrebiec confirms. It’s an interesting depth move for the Chiefs, who have been practicing the last week without starting left tackle Josh Simmons because of a back injury. Coach Andy Reid addressed Simmons’ status after Friday’s preseason finale, saying, “It’s going to take a little bit of time here, but he’s a hard worker when it comes to these types of things and … just a matter of eliminating some of the pain that he has and strength, making sure he has enough strength.”
Reid previously said that Simmons was seeking an outside opinion on his back ailment, but indicated that the team didn’t believe the injury was serious.
This move for Pounds could signify there’s some question about Simmons’ status, or could simply mean the Chiefs want additional depth while trying to protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes following his knee surgery this offseason. Second-year player Esa Pole has been second-string left tackle throughout camp, while undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson also has rotated over there during drills while starting Friday’s contest there.
Pounds, an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss, posted the seventh-highest Pro Football Focus offensive grade among all tackles this preseason with at least 41 snaps. Meanwhile, his pass-blocking grade was second among those 120 qualified tackles.
The Ravens could afford the move thanks to their O-line depth, as Pounds wasn’t a given to make the team’s 53-man roster.
