Minor transaction could have domino effect on Chiefs' roster

Sometimes it's the smallest of roster moves that signal there are bigger plans at play, and that might be the case for the Kansas City Chiefs. 

According to the NFL's personnel notice for Tuesday, the Chiefs restored LB Cole Christiansen to the practice squad from the practice squad injured list. Christiansen had been on the list since the Week 4 game against the New York Jets, during which he suffered a hamstring injury as a standard elevation from the practice squad. 

In a corresponding move, the team placed TE Gerrit Prince on the practice squad injured list. Prince is a Shawnee, Kansas native who went undrafted out of UAB in 2022, spending a season with the Jacksonville Jaguars before signing with Kansas City in August of 2023. 

The return of Christiansen is what could bring a domino effect throughout the Chiefs' linebacker room. With Nick Bolton returning to the lineup in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills and Drue Tranquill on the mend following a concussion, the team could have their full allotment of linebackers healthy for the first time in several weeks.

At the same time, the team needs to make a roster spot to activate WR Justyn Ross to the 53-man roster following his return from suspension. A potential move at play is to release LB Darius Harris from the 53-man roster. Harris has already spent the required amount of weeks on the active roster after being signed from the Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad at the end of October. 

Christiansen's return means he's again eligible to be elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster in case of an injury. He was already elevated twice this season, playing mostly special teams for Dave Toub.

Harris could also return to the practice squad if he's released.