Omarr Norman-Lott
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Chiefs' rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is questionable for the team's season-opener
The Kansas City Chiefs are putting the finishing touches on their preparations for their season-opening contest against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. For the most part, the Chiefs are healthy heading into this game, but there is one notable player whose injury status will be worth keeping tabs on over the next few hours.
While rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals has been ruled out for this game due to a bothersome knee injury, fellow rookie Omarr Norman-Lott’s status has yet to be determined. And according to Kansas City’s injury report on Thursday, fans may not know until right before kickoff whether or not Norman-Lott will make his NFL debut on Friday night.
Chiefs List Omarr Norman-Lott as Questionable for Week 1
The Chiefs selected Norman-Lott in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft after he put together a pair of stellar seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers to close out his collegiate career. In 2024, Norman-Lott racked up 18 tackles and four sacks despite frequently getting double-teamed by opposing offensive lines.
While Kansas City has arguably the best defensive tackle, Chris Jones, at its disposal, it needed another option to turn to when operating out of its base 4-3 defense. That led to the selection of Norman-Lott, who is penciled in as a starter on the team’s depth chart alongside Jones heading into Week 1.
Norman-Lott has been battling an ankle injury as of late, which has thrown his status for Week 1 up in the air. While he managed to log three limited practices throughout the week, Norman-Lott has been officially listed as questionable for the team’s upcoming contest against the Chargers in Brazil.
“Omarr Norman-Lott is questionable for tomorrow night’s game. Jalen Royals is OUT,” the Chiefs announced in a post on X on Thursday afternoon.
Chiefs Hoping Omarr Norman-Lott Can Suit Up in Week 1
Omarr Norman-Lott
GettyChiefs’ rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is questionable for the team’s season-opener
With Royals being ruled out, Norman-Lott’s injury status is pretty much the only question mark Kansas City has heading into this game. If he ends up being unable to go, Jones would likely have to shoulder a bigger load, with veterans Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi filling in alongside him. It’s not ideal, but it is only the start of the new season, and chances are the Chiefs would rather have Norman-Lott on the field in January than in September.
Whether or not Norman-Lott will suit up on Friday night remains to be seen. On one hand, Kansas City could look to play things safe with him in an effort to avoid further aggravating his injury, but on the other hand, he’s already emerged as a key piece of the team’s defense, and he could be crucial when it comes to potentially winning this game.
The fact that Norman-Lott logged three limited practices throughout the week is encouraging, but fans will have to check back in before kickoff to see if he ends up making his NFL debut. The Chiefs are currently scheduled to take on the Chargers at 8 p.m. ET on Friday night in Sao Paulo, Brazil.