Chiefs defensive mastermind Steve Spagnuolo finally reveals the real reason CB Kristian Fulton is sidelined — and why fans could see him back on the field sooner than expected.QQ

Kristian Fulton isn’t playing right now, but Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo knows they’re going to need him sooner or later.

The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves with a surplus of cornerback depth in 2025, so much so that it has even generated some talk ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. One player who is getting some attention is CB Kristian Fulton, who signed a two-year $20 million deal with $15 million in guarantees this offseason. Fulton has been a healthy scratch for the last several weeks after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

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What’s going on with the high-priced free agent that is keeping him sidelined? Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo finally weighed in on the subject on Friday, echoing much of what I’ve already written about the topic.

Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton missed too much time in training camp and the preseason

Asked what has held Fulton back from contributing, Steve Spagnuolo explained that multiple factors are at play. One of the most prominent ones? He didn’t get enough practice time during the training camp and the preseason due to injury.

“Well, a couple things,” Spagnuolo explained. “I mean, it’s, it’s a hard thing for Kristian right now, and I think he’s getting there health-wise, but now you’ve lost all the practice time, lost all the reps.”

Fulton missed most of training camp on the PUP list due to a cleanup knee surgery. He played in only one preseason game for Kansas City, playing a ton of snaps in the preseason finale to get him ready for Week 1. He earned enough trust from the coaching staff in that one game that he saw action early in the season. However, an ankle injury would further set him back, allowing another player to get into the mix and impress.

The rise of Chiefs rookie CB Nohl Williams plays a role

Chiefs rookie CB Nohl Williams and his performance play the most significant role here, because if he hadn’t come in and played well in place of Fulton in Week 2, we might not be having this conversation. Williams has now become a pivotal part of the defense, giving the Chiefs their best group of corners, alongside Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, in their nickel package.

“Nohl has gone in there and done a really nice job,” Spags said.

The Chiefs signed Fulton before the possibility of drafting Williams was even on the table. The Fulton signing insulated the team from any need for outside cornerback depth, and it continues to do so even though Fulton hasn’t played outside of the Week 1 game in Brazil.

Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton is staying ready because injury can strike at any moment

Ultimately, the Chiefs are content with Fulton riding the bench because they know too well that it may not last. Injuries can occur at any time and in waves. Last season, when injury struck the cornerback room and Jaylen Watson went to injured reserve, they weren’t as prepared as they are now.

“We’ll see where it goes,” Spags concluded. “I talk to (Kristian Fulton), usually weekly, about ‘be ready,’ because, you know, inevitably, in this league, you’re going to need more than two or three, sometimes even four corners.

“We’re gonna need him, and he’s working hard at it. It’s just that, and especially with where we’re going with practices now, we just can’t get that volume of reps for guys, so we’re kind of sticking where we’re at right now.”