The Kansas City Chiefs cut cornerback Stanford Routt and re-signed defensive lineman Shaun Smith on Monday.
Head coach Romeo Crennel also announced linebackers coach Gary Gibbs has been promoted to defensive coordinator – a role that Crennel has served to date.
Routt, who was released by division-rival Oakland after last season, signed with the Chiefs over the offseason. Kansas City then lost Brandon Carr to a $50 million free agent deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
Routt lasted just eight games with the Chiefs. He started the team’s first seven games, but did not see action in Kansas City’s 31-13 loss at the San Diego Chargers on Thursday. Javier Arenas started opposite Brandon Flowers against the Chargers, although Routt was still listed atop the depth chart on the right side Monday. Jalil Brown will now be in line for increased snaps as well.
Smith, who played for the Chiefs in 2010, was released by the Tennessee Titans in August.
The Smith signing may be related to defensive end Glenn Dorsey’s calf injury. Dorsey returned Thursday night after missing four games but left the game and did not return after aggravating the injury.
NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk recalled a 2008 incident in which Smith punched Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn in the face when the two were teammates with the Cleveland Browns. Crennel was the Browns coach then.