The Kansas City Chiefs are excited to see what they have in cornerback Kristian Fulton after signing him this offseason in free agency. However, the veteran is sitting on the team’s Physically Unable to Play list to start training camp, which means coaches and fans alike are having to wait to see what he brings to the Chiefs’ defense.
As it turns out, the wait might be a bit longer than expected.
That’s not to say that Fulton is expected to miss a specific amount of time. Rather, according to defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, being a new import at the position—experienced or not—is going to require some real adjustments coming into St. Joseph.
We’re going to have to find out what we have in Kristian Fulton, because he’s missed a lot of time. It’s not like you step right in here in a multiple system like we have and know what you’re doing,” said Spagnuolo to Chiefs reporters after Wednesday’s practice.
Steve Spagnuolo spoke about Kristian Fulton’s absence in training camp so far for the Chiefs.
“So it may take a little while to get him ramped up, but we’re anxious to get him back and get more competition at that spot.
Fulton is on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a surgical procedure this offseason to clean up his knee. The Chiefs haven’t made any announcements in terms of an anticipated return date, but Andy Reid made it clear that others who started camp on the PUP list would be back before Fulton, making it clear that the Chiefs knew they’d have to wait a bit.
Fulton has averaged only 11 games played per season in his NFL career, so the Chiefs knew they’d be facing some likely injury concerns going forward when signing the former Chargers cornerback to a two-year deal in free agency. However, his presence on the boundary will help the unit in myriad ways when on the field, including allowing Trent McDuffie to concentrate inside.
A second-round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft with the Tennessee Titans, Fulton has 32 pass deflections and 5 interceptions in five seasons in the NFL.
