The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Wednesday that they have signed defensive end Michael Heldman to their practice squad, adding a productive college pass rusher as they shuffle the bottom of the roster after Week 1.
Heldman, an undrafted rookie out of Central Michigan, joins Kansas City after a brief stop in New Orleans. The Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2026 NFL Draft, placed him on injured reserve after a preseason injury, and later waived him with an injury settlement.
He is now available to develop behind Kansas City’s defensive line while providing a potential elevation option if the Chiefs need extra edge help.
The move came as part of a larger set of transactions.
Kansas City also signed cornerback Melvin Smith to the practice squad, terminated safety Tanner McCalister’s practice-squad contract, promoted fullback Ben VanSumeren to the active roster, and placed linebacker Cooper McDonald on injured reserve.
Heldman’s calling card is production. As a redshirt senior in 2025, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound end from Romeo, Michigan, started all 13 games and finished with 10.5 sacks for 48 yards lost, 16.5 tackles for loss, 48 tackles, nine quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Those numbers ranked among the best in the Mid-American Conference and earned him First Team All-MAC honors plus Group of 5 All-America recognition.
He posted three multi-sack games, including two-sack efforts against Buffalo and Kent State.
Over five seasons and 53 games with the Chippewas, Heldman compiled 19.0 career sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss.
He started 25 consecutive games to close his college career and set school records for quarterback hurries. That combination of length, motor and sack production made him a late-round or priority undrafted prospect even if he did not hear his name called in April.
For Kansas City, the signing is a low-risk look at a player who can rush the passer and set an edge. The Chiefs already carry veteran and developmental pieces on the practice squad along the defensive line.
Heldman gives the staff another body who can take scout-team reps that mimic opposing edge rushers and compete for elevations if injuries or game-plan needs arise.
Practice-squad players are not eligible to play unless they are elevated before kickoff. Heldman’s path is the familiar one for undrafted linemen: stay healthy, show up in practice, and wait for an opportunity.
After a productive senior season at Central Michigan and a short first stop in New Orleans, that opportunity now sits in Kansas City.
