Chiefs Roster Tracker: KC Cuts Down to 53-Man Roster

The Chiefs are cutting their roster down to 53 in accordance with the NFL's deadline for all 32 teams to get below the 53-man active roster threshold.

The Kansas City Chiefs are on their way to their first 53-man roster of the 2021 season as the team makes the jump from an 80-man roster down to 53 ahead of the NFL's deadline for all 32 teams to make their final preseason roster cutdowns.

The Chiefs' cutdowns are a work in progress, starting with several players who fans became familiar with over the course of training camp and the preseason.

Players who have reportedly been waived

• Safety Devon Key, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Reportedly a candidate to return on the practice squad.
• Defensive back Zayne Anderson, per Pelissero and Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star. McDowell reports Anderson would be a practice squad target.
• Wide receiver Darrius Shepard, per McDowell.
• Linebacker Omari Cobb, per McDowell, who adds that the Chiefs would like to bring Cobb back on the practice squad.
• Wide receiver Dalton Schoen, per Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star.
• Defensive end Demone Harris, per Teope, who notes that Harris is a candidate to return on the practice squad.
• Offensive lineman Wyatt Miller, per Teope. Another candidate to return on the practice squad.
• Defensive lineman Austin Edwards, per Teope, possible practice squad candidate.
• Wide receiver Maurice Ffrench, per McDowell, who spent last season on the practice squad for the Chiefs.
• Running back Derrick Gore, per McDowell. As McDowell noted, Gore led the team in rushing in the second preseason game before running for 106 yards and a touchdown in their third preseason game.
• Running back Darwin Thompson, per McDowell. This move leaves the Chiefs with three running backs on the active roster: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Darrel Williams, in addition to fullback Michael Burton.
• Offensive lineman Daryl Williams, per Aaron Wilson. Williams is expected to rejoin the Chiefs on their practice squad if he clears waivers. 
• Cornerback Marlon Character, per Teope.
• Quarterback Shane Buechele, per Adam Caplan. The Chiefs typically carry a quarterback on the practice squad, leaving Buechele as the prime candidate.
• The below roster moves were announced by the Chiefs.
• Wide receiver Cornell Powell
• Defensive back DiCaprio Bootle
• Defensive tackle Tyler Clark
• Defensive back Rodney Clemons
• Defensive back BoPete Keyes
• Linebacker Emmanuel Smith
• Offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho
• Defensive end Tim Ward
• Wide receiver Marcus Kemp (Released)
• Wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (Released)

Other moves

• The Chiefs traded former Missouri offensive lineman Yasir Durant to the New England Patriots for a 2022 seventh-round pick.
• Guard Kyle Long was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.
• Defensive end Malik Herring was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Notable players who made the initial 53-man roster

• Tight end Jody Fortson
• Wide receiver Daurice Fountain
• Cornerback Chris Lammons
• Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
• Linebacker Dorian O'Daniel
• Linebacker Darius Harris
• Fullback Michael Burton

Some things to remember

• Instead of considering this to be the Chiefs' "final 53," think of it as their "first 53." As other teams make cuts, the Chiefs could add a released player and have to make a subsequent move of their own.
• Any players placed on the injured reserve in today's cutdowns cannot be designated to return for the 2021 season. To be designated to return, a player must first make the active 53-man roster.
• Players who missed out on a 53-man roster spot are not necessarily out of the organization. Teams have 16 practice squad spots again in 2021 (after practice squads were expanded in 2020), including up to six spots that can be occupied by veteran players with no roster or accrued season limitations, adding even more roster flexibility.

Read More: Chiefs Waive Rookie Fifth-Round Pick WR Cornell Powell