Linebacker Josh Uche, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, was traded by the Patriots to the Kansas City Chiefs for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft. Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs acquired pass rusher Josh Uche from the New England Patriots for a 2026 sixth-round pick on Monday, giving one of the NFL’s best defenses an upgrade at a position where it needed help .

Uche will take the roster spot of tight end Jody Fortson, who is going on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Uche was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2020 and has 20 1/2 sacks in five seasons, including two in the first seven games this season. His best year was 2022, when Uche had 11 1/2 sacks and forced two fumbles in 15 games.

He joins a Kansas City pass rush group led on the edge by George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, with defensive tackle Chris Jones providing pressure up the middle. Charles Omenihu is expected to return soon from a torn ACL that sidelined him all season, and that should further help the pass rush.

The deal is the second significant deal for Kansas City in less than a week. The Chiefs sent a conditional fifth-round pick to the Titans last week for DeAndre Hopkins, who had two catches for 29 yards in Sunday’s 27-20 win over the Raiders.

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