Indeed, 32 players didn’t take the field on Thursday for Kansas City, providing those battling for a roster spot with an extended chance to show what they could do. A player who didn’t waste that opportunity was rookie tailback Carson Steele, an undrafted free agent signee from UCLA who rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown on just four carries.
Steele picked up 31 of those yards on an electric, tackle-breaking run midway through the second quarter. The former Ball State and UCLA star appeared to finish the rush with a diving touchdown, but while an ensuing video review ruled him just shy of the goal line, Steele made sure to punch in a 1-yard score on the Chiefs’ next snap.
The performance wrapped up a strong preseason for Steele, who certainly put his best foot forward in his attempt to make the Chiefs’ regular-season roster.
“We’ll evaluate him. He looked good tonight, [and he’s] a physical kid,” Reid said. “I know the guys were excited when he was carrying it, but we’ll see. He’s a good football player though. It didn’t really look like they wanted to tackle him. That’s a plus if you’re a running back.”
