The Kansas City Chiefs officially ended Juan Thornhill’s season Tuesday, placing him on injured reserve ahead of the AFC Divisional playoffs.
Thornhill, a rookie safety from Virginia, suffered a torn ACL on a blitz in the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
DB Juan Thornhill has been placed on injured reserve.
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 7, 2020
G Ryan Hunter has been signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. pic.twitter.com/FHoKZPVyWX
He will be replaced on the Chiefs’ active roster by guard Ryan Hunter, who was signed off the practice squad.
Hunter played in three games early in 2019, including a start against the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 6. He was waived after struggling in that week five loss and resigned to the practice squad later that week.
Thornhill, the No. 63 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, is a speedy free safety with range, whose play helped solidify the back end of Kansas City’s defense.
In 16 games, all starts, Thornhill finished second on the Chiefs with three interceptions, fourth with five passes defended and fifth with 57 tackles.
He returned one of those interceptions 46 yards for a touchdown Dec. 1 in a 40-9 win against Oakland.
Kansas City (12-4) will host the Houston Texans (11-6) in the AFC Divisional Round at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. The winner advances to the AFC Championship Game.
