Kansas City Chiefs Roster Cuts, News, Analysis, Practice Squad Tracker - Cutdown Day 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs are trimming down to their initial 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Who is making the cut, and who will land on KC's practice squad?

Joshua Brisco, Jordan Foote | Aug 28, 2024

Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by Chicago Bears linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (45) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Kansas City Chiefs

All 32 teams in the NFL must cut down to an initial 53-man roster by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, August 27. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the reigning back-to-back champions have most of their top-50 spots set, but a few players on the bubble have made for an intriguing lead-up to cutdown day.

As the team trims to 53, they will also be looking to build up a practice squad that can contain up to 17 players. Throughout cuts and practice squad signings, this story will be updated.

Kansas City Chiefs 2024 roster cuts

WR Kadarius Toney

Kadarius Toney's time with the Chiefs is over, per multiple reports. The former first-round pick is waived after hauling in 41 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns in 20 regular-season games with the club.

WR Justyn Ross

Moments after news broke regarding Toney's departure, the team also reportedly moved on from wide receiver Justyn Ross.

RB/KR Louis Rees-Zammit

Former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit was a fascinating story throughout training camp and the preseason, but there's no surprise that he needs more time to develop into a potential NFL-caliber player after being waived by KC on Tuesday. Expect to see the Chiefs attempt to bring him back to the practice squad, assuming no other teams claim him to their 53-man roster.

WR Nikko Remigio

Wide receiver Nikko Remigio won't make the initial 53-man roster, according to Jason Anderson. If Remigio is not claimed by another team, he projects as a logical contender for the Chiefs' practice squad.

TE Irv Smith Jr. (released)

Kansas City released tight end Irv Smith Jr., according to Adam Schefter. The former Cincinnati Bengal signed with the Chiefs in March and had four receptions for 22 yards during the preseason.

CB Kelvin Joseph

Cornerback Kelvin Joseph was cut by the Chiefs, per Sam McDowell. The former second-round pick caught the eye of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during OTAs but battled injuries and inconsistency during training camp and the preseason.

RB Deneric Prince

The team is cutting second-year running back Deneric Prince, according to Sam McDowell. This clears the way for the Chiefs to carry three running backs on their initial 53-man roster with Isiah Pacheco, rookie Carson Steele and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

QB Chris Oladokun

The Chiefs have waived third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun, "a likely candidate for the practice squad," according to Matt Derrick. The Chiefs will carry just two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster: Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz.

DT Matt Dickerson (released)

Interior defensive lineman Matt Dickerson didn't make the Chiefs' roster, according to Sam McDowell. McDowell notes that Dickerson is a practice squad candidate.

LB Swayze Bozeman

The Chiefs have waived undrafted rookie linebacker Swayze Bozeman, according to Jesse Newell. Newell notes that Bozeman is "a candidate for KC's practice squad" if he clears waivers.

QB Ian Book

The first move of cutdown week started with a signal-caller as the Chiefs waived quarterback Ian Book, according to Tom Pelissero. Book was KC's clear fourth-string quarterback throughout training camp and the preseason.

DT Alex Gubner

The team waived Montana rookie defensive tackle Alex Gubner, according to Herbie Teope. Gubner was the Big Sky defensive player of the year in 2023.

WR Kyle Sheets

The Chiefs have cut Slippery Rock wide receiver Kyle Sheets, according to Sam McDowell.

WR Phillip Brooks

KC continues to thin out the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart, waiving rookie Kansas State wide receiver Phillip Brooks, according to Herbie Teope. Teope notes that he believes Brooks is "likely a candidate to return to the Chiefs' practice squad."

TE Geor'Quarius Spivey

Former TCU and Mississippi State tight end Geor'Quarius Spivey is being cut, according to a Monday update from Matt Derrick. The 6-foot-5 pass-catcher had previously signed to the Chiefs' offseason roster earlier this month.

OL Griffin McDowell

Offensive lineman Griffin McDowell, listed as a tackle by the Chiefs, is no longer with the team according to Derrick. He signed as an undrafted free agent from Tennessee Chattanooga in April.

OG Nick Torres

Villanova rookie offensive guard Nick Torres has been waived, according to Jesse Newell.

CB Ekow Boye-Doe

Former Kansas State cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe is being waived, according to Matt Derrick. Boye-Doe appeared in six regular-season games and one playoff contest for the Chiefs last year.

CB Miles Battle

Derrick reports that Miles Battle, a one-time Utah defensive back, is being cut. Battle signed as an undrafted free agent in late April.

S Tyree Gillespie

Another local product, another move according to Derrick. Former Missouri standout safety Tyree Gillespie is being cut. The 2021 fourth-round pick was signed to the Chiefs' offseason roster in February and was waived in May before returning to the team in July for training camp. The Chiefs later noted that Gillespie was waived with an injury designation.
Update: On Wednesday, Gillespie cleared waivers, returning to injured reserve. Nick Jacobs tweeted that the Chiefs can now "work on an injury settlement or keep his rights for the season going forward."

DE Owen Carney

Defensive lineman Owen Carney is being cut, per Matt Derrick. He signed with the Chiefs in late July when linebacker Luquay Washington was waived.

LS Randen Plattner

A week after being signed to fill in for James Winchester in the preseason finale, former Kansas State long snapper Randen Plattner is being cut. Plattner played eight special teams snaps in a loss to the Chicago Bears.

WR Jaaron Hayek - injury settlement

Jaaron Hayek suffered a shoulder injury in training camp before being placed on injured reserve on August 21. Two days later, the Chiefs reached an injury settlement with the rookie wide receiver, giving him a chance to sign elsewhere for the 2024 season, according to Aaron Wilson.

Official Monday update from the Chiefs

On Monday afternoon, the team confirmed the waiving of 12 players whose departures were previously reported: Battle, Book, Boye-Doe, Brooks, Carney, Gubner, Joseph, McDowell, Plattner, Sheets, Spivey and Torres.

Official Tuesday cutdown announcement from the Chiefs

In addition to the previous moves, the Chiefs confirmed that the following players were cut on Tuesday.

RB Emani Bailey

RB Keaontay Ingram

WR Cornell Powell

WR Montrell Washington

TE Baylor Cupp

OT Lucas Niang

Lucas Niang may be the team's most interesting cut, as the 2020 third-round pick appears to have lost his spot to rookie undrafted free agent offensive tackle Ethan Driskell.

OT Chukwuebuka Godrick

As the Chiefs' designated International Pathway Program player, Chukwuebuka Godrick can sign to the Chiefs' practice squad as the 17th member, exempt from other practice squad limitations.

DT Neil Farrell

DT Fabien Lovett Sr.

DE Truman Jones

LB Cole Christiansen (released)

LB Curtis Jacobs

Linebacker Curtis Jacobs was claimed by the New England Patriots, meaning he will not return to KC's practice squad as he joins the Patriots' active 53-man roster.

CB Kamal Hadden

Kamal Hadden, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is the only drafted Chiefs rookie to miss the cut in his first year. The No. 211 overall pick could be a logical target for KC's practice squad.

CB D.J. Miller

CB Keith Taylor

S Deon Bush (released)

Bubble players who reportedly will make the initial 53-man roster

RB Carson Steele

Though it isn't much of a surprise after his preseason performances, undrafted free agent running back Carson Steele will make the team, according to Jordan Schultz.

DB Chris Roland-Wallace

Rookie undrafted free agent defensive back Chris Roland-Wallace will make the initial 53-man roster, according to Matt Derrick. Derrick notes that Roland-Wallace played cornerback in college, at Arizona and USC, before moving to safety during the Chiefs' offseason programs.

Wednesday waiver claim: KC adds a cornerback

On Wednesday, the Chiefs claimed former Dallas Cowboys defensive back Eric Scott.

Trade before the buzzer: Chiefs acquire TE Peyton Hendershot

Less than an hour before the cutdown deadline, the Chiefs made an addition, acquiring Dallas Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot, according to Tom Pelissero. Pelissero added that the Chiefs are sending a 2026 conditional seventh-round pick to the Cowboys in the deal.

Pre-cutdown addition: KC reunites with WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

The Chiefs made an addition on Monday before turning their attention back to cutdowns, reuniting with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster was the team's No. 1 wide receiver in 2022 before a disappointing season with the New England Patriots in 2023. The Patriots cut their losses by splitting with Smith-Schuster on August 9. While Smith-Schuster's return doesn't bode well for some members of KC's wide receiver depth chart, he provides a familiar veteran target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. — Brisco

Trade: Chiefs bolster pass rush via swap with Cardinals for DL/LB Cameron Thomas

As it turns out, Smith-Schuster wasn't the only relevant non-cutdown move from Monday. Late on Monday night, it was reported that the Chiefs traded a seventh-round pick for Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cameron Thomas. Thomas, a pass-rush specialist, will factor into the defensive end rotation moving forward if he sticks in Kansas City. A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, there may still be enough upside for Steve Spagnuolo and Joe Cullen to tap into. — Foote

Roster news: Charles Omenihu to begin 2024-25 season on PUP, BJ Thompson remains on NFI

In a couple of expected decisions, the Chiefs aren't changing anything regarding the status of defensive linemen Charles Omenihu and BJ Thompson. According to Tuesday morning reports, Omenihu will remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start the season and will be forced to miss four games. The same is true for Thompson, although he'll be on the non-football injury (NFI) list as he works his way back from a cardiac arrest suffered during the offseason in a team meeting room. Omenihu is tracking for a potential November return, and there's "optimism" that Thompson could play in 2024-25. — Foote

Kansas City Chiefs practice squad tracker

Practice squads can contain up to 17 players, including one designated player from International Pathway Program. For the Chiefs, that player is Nigerian offensive tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick, who is entering his second year with the team. That means that Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit would take up a standard rookie practice squad spot if the team and Rees-Zammit want to continue developing.

In total, practice squads can include up to six players with unlimited accrued seasons, up to four with no more than two accrued seasons, one IPP player, and the remaining spots must go to players with zero to eight games of regular-season experience.