Kanas City Chiefs sign Ravens wide receiver Devard Darling

3/11/2008 2:51 PM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -The Kansas City Chiefs signed free agent wide receiver Devard Darling on Tuesday, shoring up the receiving corps after the release of Eddie Kennison.

Darling, Baltimore's third-round pick in 2004, played in 30 games in four seasons for the Ravens, catching 20 passes for 331 yards with three touchdowns. Eighteen of those catches came in 2007, when he played in every game.

In college, Darling played his freshman season at Florida State before transferring to Washington State after the death of his brother, Devaughn. Devaughn Darling died in 2001 at 18 of an apparent cardiac arrhythmia during an offseason workout at Florida State.

The brothers learned they had a genetic blood disorder, known as a sickle cell trait, from a physical before their freshman year at the school. Medical examiners said the disorder may have contributed to the death, although no definitive medical cause was cited.

The 35-year-old Kennison played for the Chiefs for seven seasons and was their top receiver for most of that time. He was limited by hamstring and shoulder injuries to only eight games last season, catching 13 passes for 101 yards.